Breast cancer awareness month: SCAR Project exposes the realities of breast cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are pink ribbons and sparkly pink trinkets in stores. But on the streets of New York, black-and-white ads for The SCAR Project present a more raw, honest and authentic image.
The posters feature a woman with a surgical scar where her right breast used to be. The copy reads, “breast cancer is not a pink ribbon.” And SCAR stands for ‘Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.”
According to the website, The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay.
Jay was inspired to act when a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Like the subjects themselves, Jay’s stark, bold portraits challenge traditional perceptions of the disease and capture the raw beauty, strength and character of so many extraordinary young women. Each portrait represents a singular, stripped-down vision of the life-changing journey that unites them all.
In Jay’s heartbreaking photographs — of women between the ages 18 and 35 — his subjects are all topless. Seeing scarred and reconstructed mammary glands is not just shocking because of the way breasts are fetishized in our society, but because it speaks to how much we hide, gloss over and tidy up disease. Breasts are one of the defining physical attributes for identifying a woman. Breast cancer eats away at flesh meant to nourish. Surgery is a brutal procedure from which to recover and heal. But cute, clean, pink ribbons have come to symbolize all that. It’s pretty sad, when you think about it, that we don’t see images like Jay’s more often; reconfigured nipples and wounded breast tissue make quite an impact. More images and information here.
Article by Jezebel
It is really heart renching to see the real side of breast cancer. We are so brainwashed to believe that some tissue and fat thats sculpted into two lumps on our chest makes us a woman or sexy. Also the fact that i believe most of the woman didn’t have implants put in afterwords is extemely admiral. these woman are incredibly brave to be apart of this project and i’m so happy about it. Its an eye opener and what a better place to start the campaign than NY.
Amazing images. I have just undergone a bi-lateral mastectomy and have been amazed how many people have attempted to give comfort by saying “what wonderful reconstructions can be done” They mostly have no idea what they are talking about. Recon is long, painful and is never a pefect replacement for what has been lost. I may opt for the clean clear smooth breast that , once healing is complete, I will have. These images encourage me in that choice. Thank you.
What a touching story – thank you for sharing it! I wish you the best in healing and good health.
I stumbled upon your website after a Google search for a project I’m doing for work. I finished my Tamoxifen in 2010. I was diagnosed when I was 39,when I had my first mammogram. I went through radiation but not chemo. I am now suffering from debilitating migraines from the cessation of the medication. When I was first diagnosed I couldn’t stand the sight of a pink ribbon. I thought they covered up the reality of breast cancer by making it pretty and acceptable. Thank you to all of the heroes in the photos, you are lovely, beautiful and strong. You are my angels.
Stay strong, darling <3