With more and more people openly discussing cancer in the press, from Angelina Jolie's brave mastectomy confession to Michelle Heaton's planned hysterectomy, we thought that the topic was becoming less taboo.
“Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.” (Cormac McCarthy)
However when brave cancer survivor Beth Whaanga decided to bare all and showcase her scars in a bid to raise cancer awareness, she received a huge backlash.
Tackling head on the ravages of her cancer surgery, the mother-of-four bared her post-surgery body, which showed the scars from a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, in a revealing photoshoot with photographer Nadia Masot.
The images were then posted on Beth's Facebook page, where she warned her friends about the confronting material:
"These images are confronting and contain topless material.
"They are not in any way meant to be sexual. The aim of this project is to raise awareness for breast cancer. If you find these images offensive please hide them from your feed.
"Each day we walk past people. These individuals appear normal but under their clothing sometimes their bodies tell a different story.
"It can happen to you."
Beth was unfriended by over a hundred friends after posting the images online.
One such person criticised her decision to share the images on Facebook, saying social media was not the platform for the photographs:
"I personally do not agree with posting confronting pictures on a site where people do not get a choice whether they wish to view it, as happened to me when scrolling through my news feed.
"This may also occur to children scrolling through their feed."
Beth responded by saying everyone was entitled to their opinion, while the photographer defended the photos furiously, reminding us all that cancer never discriminates:
"For the people who think it’s 'just not for them' may just end up being the one who will wish one day they'd payed a bit more attention when it happens to them, only worse because they chose to be offended instead of listening.
"Ignorance is never a better option."
Hoping others will share their stories, the amazing duo are looking for people to share their scars as part of a project which will confront people with the truth about cancer.
We think it sounds like an amazing idea and, while the images may be considered "confronting" by some - and 'controversial' by many - we hope that they help to remind others to be vigilant and responsible for their own bodies.
About 12% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer in their lives, while about 55 to 65% of women will inherit a BRCA1 mutation.
It never pays to be ignorant; always, always check yourself - and try to have some compassion for those who have bravely battled this horrifying disease. We commend Beth for being so confident about her body, for braving the critics and for challenging our opinions about our bodies.
“Some people see scars, and it is wounding they remember. To me they are proof of the fact that there is healing.” (Linda Hogan)
About 12% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer in their lives, while about 55 to 65% of women will inherit a BRCA1 mutation.
It never pays to be ignorant; always, always check yourself - and try to have some compassion for those who have bravely battled this horrifying disease. We commend Beth for being so confident about her body, for braving the critics and for challenging our opinions about our bodies.
And we truly hope that this campaign continues to raise cancer awareness.
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Most importantly of all? We think Beth is beautiful. Truly beautiful.
Were you offended by the sight of her scars? Or do you think her bravery and desire to raise cancer awareness is inspirational? Let us know your thoughts below in the Comments Box now.