Exploring the Varied Journeys of Breast Cancer Survivors Through a Unique Photo Series

Facing a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing surgery can be a challenging time for many individuals. It often involves grieving the loss of their familiar figure, among other emotions.

Gonzalez, a nonbinary individual, shared with CNN that they have known their gender identity since they were 5 years old. However, societal norms prevented them from fully embracing their true self.

The 41-year-old chef from Los Angeles, Gonzalez, revealed that they had been considering top surgery before being diagnosed with cancer. After discovering a lump in 2021, Gonzalez made the decision to undergo breast removal. This choice, although not typical for cisgender women, helped Gonzalez feel more comfortable in their own skin.

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Gonzalez is one of seven models currently featured in “Marks of Majesty,” a new photography project aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer, and the diverse population it affects. Its models — scouted by Stephanie Francis, the project’s co-director and designer — strike vulnerable, yet confident poses, revealing how cancer has transformed their bodies while also asserting themselves in their overhauled embodiment of beauty, body image, and gender expression.

In the photos, many of the models have regal silver or gold metallic paint brushed across their surgical scars. The paint turns their bodies into “works of art,” said Julia Comita, the photographer and co-director behind the project, in a phone interview with CNN.

"We entered the photo shoot with the goal of capturing their empowered, confident, and confrontational essence. They displayed vulnerability, yet with intention, boldly declaring, 'This is me. This is my body.'" - Julia Comita

Our goal is to increase awareness, especially about breast cancer," Comita shared with CNN. She also hopes that the project will have a meaningful impact on others in the participants' communities.

Through this project, we discovered that many individuals are not represented in breast cancer media," Comita explained. She pointed out that the media often focuses on older White women, despite the fact that a diverse group of people are affected by the disease. The majority of the people we worked with were Black or people of color, and they expressed that there is a lack of support, research, and information available for their communities.

Michelle Kang was diagnosed with breast cancer at 27. As a patient experience manager at a cancer health system, she helps individuals navigate their health and survivorship.

Julia Comita

Queer artist and activist Lyssette Horne, 39, poses for “Marks of Majesty.”

Julia Comita

Each year in the United States, around 240,000 women and 2,100 men receive a breast cancer diagnosis. While the incidence rate of breast cancer is slightly lower among Black women compared to White women, Black women are more likely to die from the disease, with a 41% higher mortality rate, as reported by the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is less common among Asian women than in other racial groups, but it remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer.

"We believe that creating impactful images that catch your attention is a great way to attract individuals who may not have been previously engaged in the conversation," stated Comita. "It was also a way to honor and celebrate the models in a fashion-forward manner."

Many of the “Marks of Majesty” models discovered their breast cancer diagnosis in their 20s, even though the average age for such diagnosis is 62.

Eshaana Sheth was 27 years old when she found out she had hormone receptor positive breast cancer in 2019. This type of breast cancer means that the cancer cells have receptors that can attach to progesterone or estrogen, according to the National Cancer Institute. These receptors are like binding proteins within the cell. The presence or absence of these hormones can affect how the cancer cells grow and how they respond to treatment.

Halfway through Sheth’s chemotherapy treatment, Covid-19 struck the United States — leaving her to navigate cancer “during one of the scariest times in human history,” she said.

Julia Comita

Sheth’s case challenges the common misconception that recovering from breast cancer is a straightforward process. She continues to undergo endocrine therapy to prevent the growth of hormone receptor positive breast cancer cells, which has negative effects on her cognitive, sexual, and sleep health. At just 32 years old, this treatment has also induced early menopause, causing significant challenges for Sheth.

As a first-generation American with parents from India, Sheth felt like she was defying the odds by facing these additional struggles. Despite her challenges, she remains active in various fields such as modeling, screenwriting, and filmmaking in Los Angeles and New York City. In a phone interview, she described her experience as feeling like the universe was working against her.

"I find it difficult to join conversations with groups of women when they discuss topics like periods or boobs that no longer apply to me," she expressed. "I often feel unsure of how to participate in these discussions."

"I am also in the process of reacquainting myself with my body sexually, seeing it not as something broken and reconstructed," she continued. "I am trying to focus on the functionality of bodies and the abilities that I still possess."

Redefining beauty, femininity, and gender

As a teenager, Mariah Crenshaw was known as "Mariah with the big breasts" to her classmates. She felt uncomfortable with this label, feeling defined by her physical appearance. In response, she tried to conceal her bust size for a long time. However, as she got older, Crenshaw began to embrace self-love and focused on accepting her body just the way it is.

"I thought I was finally accepting my breasts," said Crenshaw, a model and storyteller in Louisville, Kentucky. "But then, the universe challenged me with breast cancer, testing how much I truly love myself."

Crenshaw was in Amsterdam earning a master’s degree — and looking forward to her future — when she learned of her diagnosis at age 26 in 2018.

Julia Comita

Having gone through cancer has given Crenshaw new perspective, she said.

Julia Comita

The curveball brought back Crenshaw's body dysmorphia. As a young Black woman, she felt alone because she didn't see anyone who looked like her at the support groups. However, she has now found a sense of belonging in Black-led and -curated spaces. Through this, she has rediscovered self-love, and has started to redefine femininity and beauty.

She expressed, "I believe there is beauty in my identity and the unique qualities I bring to the table. Beauty also lies in how you present yourself."

Crenshaw shared that she wasn't prepared to part ways with her breasts during her double mastectomy. Instead, she chose to have implant reconstruction afterward. This choice is quite common, with 81% of reconstruction procedures in the United States being implant-based, as reported in a 2022 study.

But she mentioned that she might be open to not having them in the future. She explained, "Would I choose to go without implants... maybe in 10 years, when it's time for them to be replaced or for other reasons?" She believes that the choice to opt out of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is not commonly presented, mainly due to societal standards of beauty.

"Marks of Majesty" also features individuals known as "previvors," like mastectomy model Laura Skarzout. Previvors have a higher risk of cancer than the average person, although they have not been diagnosed with the disease yet.

The journey of body image influenced by cancer was especially complicated for Laura Skarzout, a 42-year-old Florida-based mastectomy model and previvor who underwent seven reconstructive surgeries to fix the damage from the initial preventive double mastectomy she had at age 35.

"Regardless of how 'botched' my skin is, I love myself now," Skarzout said. "It was actually really important for my daughters to see that too — that the way you view yourself has nothing to do with how other people view you."

Highlighting how the models view themselves in new ways has been a significant outcome of the shoots, according to Comita. She mentioned that her project, "Marks of Majesty," is still ongoing and encourages more people to share their stories on the website.

One of the models, Crenshaw from Kentucky, expressed her appreciation for being portrayed as individuals impacted by breast cancer without appearing either sad and dying or overly energetic like marathon runners. She described the experience as genuine yet elegant and editorial, a perspective she had never seen before.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the diverse experiences of individuals affected by breast cancer, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by nonbinary, young, and minority individuals. It highlights the importance of representation and inclusivity in breast cancer awareness campaigns, as the disease affects a wide range of people beyond the stereotypical image of older White women.

The "Marks of Majesty" photography project is a powerful initiative that celebrates the resilience and beauty of these individuals, showcasing their stories and challenging societal norms. By presenting models with surgical scars adorned with metallic paint, the project transforms their bodies into works of art, empowering them and asserting their presence in the conversation about breast cancer. This approach not only raises awareness but also provides a platform for the models to redefine femininity, body image, and gender expression on their own terms.