Remember to check your boobs
Last year, we welcomed in a client who was helping us with a development project we have going on, behind the scenes, for the studio. When it came to viewing her imagery we were thrilled with the results as we’d been able to create something quite artistic without relying on the element of editing, afterwards. However, something caught my eye whilst viewing this particular image.
In our jobs, it would be naive of us not to acknowledge that we see a lot of skin… To quote one of our BBBY tribe on our FB group, “James is immune to boobs”! We had, however, never seen a slight indentation on the curve of a breast line before. The subject in question contacted her GP and, due to covid-19, was given a phone consultation where she was able to email over this image for a second opinion.
The GP agreed that there was a slight difference in look and she was referred to the breast cancer clinic at the Royal Derby Hospital. Within two weeks this 30 something mum and self employed worker was seen by a breast cancer care specialist who performed an ultrasound on her right breast to see if there was anything suspicious.
“The doctor at the hospital said he couldn’t see any difference when he looked on the day but agreed the angle of the photo suggested otherwise. They found a crunchy part, when feeling around the boob and towards the armpit. After further checks they agreed that there was something there but told me it was not cancer.”
“I did have a quick feel around my boobs when showering but not very often. I’ll now be making sure I take the extra ten minutes every month to have a thorough check. I do this so I can know my body really well and I feel more in control which sounds silly but makes sense in my head.”
“The relief I felt knowing that it wasn’t cancer was huge. I’m quite a private person. I booked my photoshoot to push me out of my comfort zone and try and get rid of the negative feelings I have about my body since having children. I didn't like the idea of being physically poked by strangers, at the hospital, but I also didn’t like the idea of having to battle cancer and looking after my children. I’m actually really pleased to know that I have a lump there as I now have the support to be able to watch it and I feel like I’m ahead of cancer, if I ever have to face it, and so I’ll be able to beat it if it if the lump found ever turns cancerous. I’m really proud of this photograph and what it represents. I hope it inspires other mums, like me, to check their boobs.”
Image courtesy of coppafeel, a breast cancer awareness charity, based in London.
