Pink Ribbon Reality
A collection of photographs captured to spotlight the realities of breast cancer
and its impacts on the women and men diagnosed with the disease.
Breast cancer is more than the pretty pink ribbon that often masks the reality of the disease. This project aims to shine a light on that reality, to educate all, not just those personally experiencing it, and push the topic of breast cancer into normal, everyday conversation.
The reality of breast cancer is…
The reality of breast cancer is discovering a lump while breast feeding your child born only a month earlier.
The reality of breast cancer is hours, days, weeks, and months spent sitting in a hospital to receive chemotherapy,
wondering if this will be the beginning of a new normal or the beginning of the end.
The reality of breast cancer is being surrounded by your support system and
still feeling completely alone at the same time while you’re poked and prodded in the fight for your life.
The reality of breast cancer is facing surgery for the first time in your life
while in the fight for your life.
The reality of breast cancer is finding out you have advanced stage cancer after your children forced you to visit the doctor;
a visit you avoided because you didn’t have insurance and worried you’d leave your family with piles of medical debt.
The reality of breast cancer is having 10 surgeries because your body rejects the implants then having parts of your stomach removed
and used to mimic a “breast mound” to help restore your self-image.
The reality of breast cancer is needing your 9 year old daughter to be your caregiver.
The reality of breast cancer is coping with a level of fatigue and fog that keeps you buried in the sofa
while still trying to be an engaged member of your family.
The reality of breast cancer is confronting the loss of your breasts when you see yourself for the first time after a bilateral mastectomy.
The reality of breast cancer is the new full time job you accepted and can’t keep up with,
but cannot quit because your life literally depends on keeping the health insurance coverage
so you can afford all your medications and treatments.
The reality of breast cancer is receiving a breast cancer diagnosis as a man and the desire to call it “chest cancer” to avoid feelings of embarrassment.
It is the acceptance that you are a man with breast cancer and repeatedly educating others that breast cancer is not a “woman’s disease.”
The reality of breast cancer is choosing to undergo yet another procedure,
after having no choice on the 11 procedures that preceded it,
all in an effort to restore what was taken.
The reality of breast cancer is that the same thing used to kill cancer can also cause it.
The reality of breast cancer is reconstructive surgery to replace what cancer took with the scars to leave a permanent reminder.
The reality of breast cancer is dealing with long term effects of the cancer and treatment,
including lymphedema and cording from scar tissue.
The reality of breast cancer is enduring more pain as part of the healing process.
The reality of breast cancer is the constant reminder of how short life is and the things that are truly important.
The reality of breast cancer is lasting damage to skin, permanent scars, disfigurement, and side effects that persist long after treatment is done.
The reality is…
Breast cancer is not a pretty pink ribbon.
Katherine Lucas has partnered with the nonprofit Going Beyond the Pink because she believes in their mission to provide
access to critical cancer education and supportive services so that breast cancer patients and survivors can truly thrive.
Learn more about Going Beyond the Pink and please consider sponsoring their work with patients and survivors with a donation.