Photography by David Jay
Jay’s raw and honest pictorial documentation of the journey of women through breast cancer is a rare and beautiful insight into the different stages and experiences of women undergoing treatment, mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for the disease. The SCAR Project comes to Sydney this September and is one exhibition you won’t want to miss. As the exhibition accurately says, and portrays – “Cancer Is Not A Pink Ribbon”.
While this is the first time SCAR’s candid and inspirational imagery will be displayed in Australia, The SCAR Project was actually born in Sydney’s Bondi after Jay was moved to photograph a dear friend when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29. One of the many messages this touching exhibition delivers, is the common misconception that young women don’t get breast cancer. CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), Carole Renouf said, “Unfortunately the types of breast cancer affecting young women are more aggressive and have much poorer prognoses compared to older women.”
Beautifully depicting the reality of breast cancer in young women, The SCAR Project originally aimed at acting as an awareness driver for women in this age group, but has morphed into something much more immediate, and much more beautiful. David Jay said, “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride.”
The SCAR Project: Watch The Documentary
WHAT: The SCAR Project (www.thescarproject.org)
WHERE: On Seven at David Jones, Elizabeth Street Store, Sydney
- Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia.*
- One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- In 2014, 15,270 women are predicted to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia.
- Each year, 800 young women die from breast cancer every day in Australia. Finding breast cancer early increases the chance of surviving the disease.
- Although rare, breast cancer can also affect men, accounting for about 1% of cases. Around 110 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year
* Exclusing non-melanoma skin cancer
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Cancer Australia 2012. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview. Cancer series no. 71 Cat no. CAN 67. Canberra: AIHW.
Have you been touched by breast cancer personally, or within your circle of family and friends? Share your experience below and your thoughts on The SCAR Project…
