6 Gorgeous Photos of Breast Cancer Survivors
Allyson Lynch
"After I got my tattoos, I looked in the mirror and cried with joy. Cancer takes your breasts, and this is my way of taking them back."
Allyson Lynch, 29, diagnosed in 2014 with stage I ER+ breast cancer. Tested positive for BRCA1 gene. Had a mutation mastectomy and reconstruction. Tattoos by John Pohl of Bonedaddys Tattoo in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Chiara D'Agostino
"I didn’t decide to go flat at first; I wanted to look symmetrical. But then I had six additional surgeries just for the implants because they got infected every other month. I feel better now without the implants. And I can feel people when I hug them."
Chiara D'Agostino, 45, diagnosed in 2014 with stage III triple-negative breast cancer and in 2016 with stage IV triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, which has spread to her lungs, sternum, lymph nodes and liver. This summer she had chemo again and took part in a drug trial.
Christina Sanchez Root
"My surgeon didn’t want me to get an implant because an infection would have delayed my next stage of treatment, which was 35 rounds of radiation. I was devastated, but that decision may have saved my life. Now I’m focused on exercising, working and enjoying time with family and friends."
Christina Sanchez Root,44, diagnosed in 2015 with stage III triple-negative breast cancer.
Ericka Hart
"Going through this as a young, queer black woman, I really haven’t seen people like me represented as cancer patients."
Ericka Hart,31, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 0 cancer in her left breast and stage II in her right. Had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Works as a sexuality and education consultant.
Melissa McAllister
"I look like me. I don’t like the way reconstruction feels—the numbness, the pain—but I’m happy for the most part with what I see in the mirror."
Melissa McAllister,41, diagnosed in 2013 with stage I invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. Had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and 3-D nipple tattoos by Amy Black in Richmond. Cofounded The Underbelly, an online magazine for women with breast cancer.
Beth Fairchild
"I fought to have my breasts removed. Given that my cancer had already spread, my doctors said the surgery and recovery would diminish my quality of life, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I used to feel idealized for my breasts. I’ve never felt sexier than I do now."
Beth Fairchild,37, diagnosed in 2014 with stage IV lobular carcinoma with metastases to the bones, liver, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, top portion of the vagina, and tissue around the stomach. A tattoo artist specializing in breast cancer patients, she owns Lucky Street Tattoo in North Carolina with her husband (also an artist) and is president of METAvivor, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funding for stage IV metastatic breast cancer.
From the
October 2017 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
