A group of brave women have bared their post-mastectomy bodies for the first annual BRCA Babes calendar.
Like Angelina Jolie, these women all made the difficult decision to have preventative double mastectomies after discovering they had the deadly BRCA gene.
Rather than be ashamed of their new bodies, they’re decided to bare (almost) all for the UK’s National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline’s new calendar.
Click through to see their beautiful images and read their inspirational stories.
These five brave women bared their post-mastectomy bodies for a new calendar called “BRCA Babes” to raise money for breast cancer research.
Carly Perkins, 29, learnt she had the breast cancer gene two days after her 28th birthday last year and had a double mastectomy. “The thought of the photo shoot made me nervous but I really love my pictures. When I saw it, I could hardly believe it was me!”
Mum-of-two Rachael Staff, 40, found out she had the BRCA gene three years ago and had her breasts and nipples removed. “This shoot has been a real confidence boost as it’s proved that despite having a double mastectomy – and no nipples – I can still look sexy.”
Mum-of-two Rachel White, 41, was diagnosed as BRCA positive in 2009 and had her ovaries and breasts removed. “I thought my shot was beautiful – it’s made me realise I can still look good to other people.”
Becky Measures, 32, a mum of one, had a preventative double mastectomy and reconstruction at 24. “I took part in the calendar to show that have a double mastectomy doesn’t have to stop you feeling like a woman.”
Mum-of-four Helen Smith, 49, works with special needs children and found out she was BRCA positive in 2007 and had a double mastectomy and total reconstruction. “I love my body even more now than I did when I was younger and crucially, I no longer have to fear it.”
Beth Whaanga hit the headlines earlier this month when more than 100 people “unfriended” her on Facebook after she posted a series of confronting images of her own post-mastectomy body.
Beth Whaanga enlisted photographer friend Nadia Masot to shoot the images as part of their Under the Red Dress campaign.
Beth wanted to encourage other women to get regular breast checks.
She was horrified when more than 100 “gutless” people unfriended her on Facebook because they were disgusted by the images.
UK model Claire made headlines last month when she posed for a series of brave portraits showing off her own post-surgery body.
Claire had both breasts removed in February 2010 and had reconstruction surgery two months later. She chose not to have the extra surgery to rebuild her nipples. Photography by Byron Atienza.
“I feel so positive today. If I’d waited a year to get the mastectomy, I’d probably be dead. Photography by Byron Atienza.
Claire wanted to show she is proud of her new body. Photography by Byron Atienza.
Claire in her modelling heyday.
Claire and her husband Gus have two young daughters.
Claire was one of Britain’s most successful models in the 1980s.
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