Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project

Uncovered

A BR E A ST RECOGN I T ION PROJECT

VOLUME

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Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, is more than images and stories of a few women at varying stages of their breast cancer journeys.

This project is a way of uncovering the voices of women of colour who are left in the dark when looking to see themselves represented in the cancer community.

- MICHELLE AUDOIN

ncovered

A BR E A ST RECOGN I T ION PROJECT

Rethink Breast Cancer would like to thank Pfizer Canada for its funding of Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project.

Rethink would also like to thank the eight brave women who courageously jumped on board for this project. Through your contributions, we will be improving the lives of young women with breast cancer.

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Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, is more than images and stories of a few women at varying stages of their breast cancer journeys. Uncovered has been a cathartic means for me to express, in the most empowering way possible, what has been a long and frustrating part of my breast cancer journey. This project is my way of uncovering the voices of women of colour who are left in the dark when looking to see themselves represented in the cancer community.

In the spring of 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Immediately, I began enquiring about my surgical options.

I attended seminars, looked at brochures, and I even did my own research online. The one thing that became abundantly clear was that images of women who looked like me were nowhere to be found. It was distressing to have to make a life-altering decision and not have any visuals to help guide me through the process. In October 2018, over a year after my bilateral mastectomy, I was still unable to make a decision. I attended an educational event on breast reconstruction, eager to connect with other women, visit the education tables, and walk through the Show and Tell Lounge. I left feeling even more discouraged and alone. To my dismay, there was nothing and nobody representing women of colour.

I’m grateful that 2020 has allowed me to reflect on my experiences and find the courage to shine a light on the need for diverse representation in the cancer community. I am touched by the stories and images of the beautiful souls who not only uncovered their own scars for the photos, but also exposed their experiences to make this project happen.

A sincere thanks to everyone who helped bring Uncovered to light. It has been a profound and comforting experience to see myself represented in the stories and images of the women who helped make this possible.

MICHELLE AUDOIN Creator, Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project

I believe in the power of a simple idea. When I was starting Rethink Breast Cancer back in 2001, my simple idea was to show that breast cancer wasn’t just a grandmother’s disease, that young people were affected by breast cancer too. Young women weren’t being represented in the breast cancer cause, so we created our movement to include them.

We are living through a year when much of the world is reflecting and exploring what inclusivity and belonging means and how important a sense of belonging is to one’s identity. Up until now, there has been significant underrepresentation of, and support for, Black women and women of colour in the breast cancer community. So, when Michelle Audoin came to us with her simple, yet powerful idea: to put a spotlight on Black women’s stories of breast reconstruction surgery, we jumped at the chance to get involved.

While I believe in the power of a simple idea, I know they often take the most courage. To Michelle, and to all the women featured in Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, thank you for your bravery and vulnerability in showing and sharing your physical and emotional scars. Uncovered will serve both as a practical resource and also as inspiration to the broader Black breast cancer community. And we will do everything we can to get it into the hands of cancer care teams, so they are better equipped to support all the woman they care for.

I am honoured that Michelle trusted Rethink Breast Cancer with her idea and that we’ve been able to collaborate with her to create Uncovered. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in bringing it to life. We are grateful for your part in helping Black women with breast cancer be seen, heard and understood.

MJ DECOTEAU Founder and Executive Director, Rethink Breast Cancer

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Boob Bio // Name: Michelle Audoin Age When Diagnosed: 40 Breast Cancer Type: Metastatic ER+ breast cancer and thyroid cancer I Am An: MBC Advocate, Rethinker, Changemaker

MY BREAST CANCER journey has been a long one. In fact, I had my first benign breast tumour removed from my right breast when I was only 14. As a result, I had a raised scar on my right nipple, which was a constant reminder that something was wrong with my breasts. Sadly, I never felt that I had a place to speak up. And there were always other lumps.

I had learned to do self-exams from magazines, and I felt comfortable asking my family doctor to make referrals. One breast specialist had told me that I just had lumpy breasts and that there was nothing to worry about.

When I started breastfeeding, I thought somehow that would give me immunity.

I was diagnosed with ER+ breast cancer in the left breast in April 2017. By this time, I already had a history of breast biopsies, ultrasounds and exams. Following my diagnosis, I had a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy on the cancerous left side and a prophylactic mastectomy on the right side. Nipple preservation on the left side was not possible, however, both my nipples were removed. Tissue expanders were put in. Eventually, the expanders were replaced with implants. I also had a bilateral salpingo7

oophorectomy to reduce the amount of estrogen in my body that was feeding my tumours.

Growing up, I feared and loathed my breasts. They were small. I was told they were lumpy. And they were scarred. That all changed when I became a mother. I had made the choice to breastfeed my babies and my breasts were no longer scary to me. They were a source of nourishment and comfort to my two children during the first two years of their lives. I was still nursing my son to sleep when I lost my breasts to cancer.

I miss the shape of my old breasts. Though they were small, they had a natural sag from having nursed two children. I took pride in this. I miss my nipples, too.

I have yet to accept my implants. Their shape is different from my natural

“NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SHARE IMAGES OF WOMEN WHO LOOK LIKE ME” breasts. Three years later, I am still having a hard time accepting my body with its scars because I wasn’t prepared for them. I wish I had images of women of colour so that I could feel more confident about moving forward. Three years is a long time of living with indecision and despair.

The medical community could be doing a lot more to serve the Black breast cancer community. From the start of my breast cancer journey to this very day, I have felt alone. No one has been able to share images of women who look like me and who have had surgeries like mine. No one has really taken the time to hear my pain and sadness of having to abruptly wean a child and lose their breasts. I felt pressure to be optimistic about my implants because somehow they looked bigger and better than what I previously had. I often felt like I didn’t matter because I didn’t fit the bill of what they already had on file, which was often images of older white women. I think that the medical community could do a better job at letting Black women know more about their risks and outcomes. We need more race-based data and equal representation in the images and stories of women with breast cancer.

My message to other Black women going through breast cancer is to look for support and to tell your story.

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Boob Bio // Name: Faith Walker Age When Diagnosed: 26 Breast Cancer Type: Stage IV metastatic HR+ I Am A: Mother, Thriver, Singer

I HAVE BEEN LIVING with stage IV metastatic breast cancer since I fractured my spine while pregnant in 2008.

My cancer has spread to my bones, lungs and liver. I have had chemo twice, a mastectomy and radiation four times. I have had 12 surgeries for reconstruction as well as removal of a ruptured implant and a collapsed implant. I just underwent chemo and lost my hair for the second time. I’m currently on hormone therapy as well as natural treatments.

Prior to breast cancer, I took my breasts for granted, never being happy with what I had. Now, I feel pretty disconnected from my breasts. They don’t have much feeling and my scars make it difficult to feel comfortable wearing certain clothes. I miss a lot about my pre-diagnosed self. I miss living pain-free (my spinal fusion caused a lot of nerve pain and a foot drop). I miss being able to walk with ease and having balance. I miss being carefree.

My advice to newly-diagnosed Black women is to advocate for yourself.

Bring a support person to your appointments. I record most of my doctor’s appointments to make sure I don’t miss anything and also to protect myself. Healthcare professionals often don’t take Black women seriously and we are often not given the medication and support we need. Do your research and know that it’s your body and you can decide your course of treatment. Try to find support through other Black women living with cancer, even if it’s through social media.

“TRY TO FIND SUPPORT THROUGH OTHER BLACK WOMEN LIVING WITH CANCER” There are very few, if any photos of Black women’s reconstruction, so I was compelled to be part of this resource. I really hope this project is a step in the right direction and allows us to be seen and help many women of colour on their cancer journeys.

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I WAS DIAGNOSED in 2018 and completed treatment (chemo and radiation) in the summer of 2019. Since then I’ve had reconstruction surgery to put in an implant that later had to be removed because it failed. I’m currently awaiting my next reconstruction, which will be Diep reconstruction.

Before being diagnosed, I loved my breasts and enjoyed my showing cleavage from time to time. I wore whatever I wanted without having to worry about how my chest looked. Now, I miss feeling attractive and also having the energy I used to as I’m still battling fatigue. I also have the feeling that I can no longer trust my breasts.

My advice to other Black women who have just been diagnosed? Try to find other Black women in the community to connect with as they may have specific experiences that can better help and inform you. And always always advocate for yourself! Our concerns are not at the forefront and

“OUR CONCERNS ARE NOT AT THE FOREFRONT” often have to be brought to people’s attention. This could be simple as products (cosmetics/lymphedema sleeves) that are not geared towards us or the lack of images that look like us.

I didn’t see myself when going through my breast cancer experience, and I don’t want other Black women to have that type of isolating experience. This project is a great initiative and I hope to see more like it.

Boob Bio // Name: Indira Age When Diagnosed: 34 Breast Cancer Type: DCIS I Am A: Sister, Warrior, Goddess

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Boob Bio // Name: Tonia Age When Diagnosed: 41 Breast Cancer Type: Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), Stage 3 I Am A: Daughter, Warrior, Faithful

I WAS DIAGNOSED in November 2019 and had a left breast mastectomy in December 2019. I started radiation in February 2020 and finished at the end of March 2020.

The connection I had with my breasts was strong. I always had larger breasts and they were very much a part of who I was as a woman. My breasts were part of all the stages of life from my teenage years when I was wearing outfits that were way too tight to show them off, all the way to the role my breasts played in motherhood, which helped create a special bond with my children.

“I GET TO SHOW MY DAUGHTER I’M STILL A STRONG BLACK WOMAN WITH OR WITHOUT MY BREAST” Pre-diagnosis I was comfortable in my own skin. l worried less about how my clothing fit and how it made me feel so I had to adjust to my new body.

It has taken a lot of work on myself to realize I am so much more than just what I look like on the outside. I get to show my daughter I’m still a strong Black woman with or without my breast.

This is one of the hardest journeys to go through and sadly one you would never choose. Being a young woman diagnosed with breast cancer can be very isolating. Imagine going to every appointment and seeing no one that looks like you. You may be afraid to speak up for yourself, but don’t be because it’s important to be your own advocate in both the mental and physical parts of your treatment.

I think that as Black women, we want support groups, advertising, breast prosthesis, wigs and all stages of breast cancer treatment to reflect us. Black women dealing with breast cancer just want to be seen, heard and valued in all parts of our cancer journey.

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SINCE MY DIAGNOSIS in May 2018, I did six rounds of intravenous chemotherapy, which lasted 18 weeks, plus a few extra weeks due to delayed treatments because of low white blood counts. I had a very favourable response to the chemo and my tumours shrunk so significantly that the doctors could barely detect the once-hard-and-distinctive-balllike lump in my left breast and the other mass in my armpit.

I had a few months to regain my strength before going in for surgery days before Christmas of that year. I was utterly deflated when my oncologist recommended another course of chemotherapy in February of 2019. This time, an oral dosage of chemo taken twice daily for another eight months. Finally, I began radiation in November 2019 and completed my final radiation session a week before Christmas in 2019. Then, another six months of what I call “post-treatment” treatment, which consisted of physio and rehab for range of motion in my arm, lymphedema education and treatment for this side effect I will have to manage for the rest of my life, and an endless amount of ongoing emotional self-care.

Before being diagnosed, I was always slightly self-conscious about my too small, or dare I say, flat breasts, which is such a loaded term having gone through this experience. I had a lumpectomy, which means I got to keep my breasts but so many women have to, or choose to - depending

“YOU NEED TO DIG DEEP INTO THE WELL OF STRENGTH, THAT WE AS BLACK WOMEN HAVE HAD TO DO FOR CENTURIES” on their situation, have one or both completely removed. Post-diagnosis, I now have a whole new respect for my body and breasts. I’m here because my body got me through this and my breasts put up a good fight, dents, scars and all.

Breast cancer is an isolating diagnosis to begin with. It marginalizes you as you suddenly become a statistic. Add to that the layer of being a minority and not really fitting into the system of supports. You are a margin within the margin. You need to dig deep into the well of strength, that we as Black women have had to do for centuries and harness every ounce of attitude and sass that you have ever been accused of having

Boob Bio // Name: Laura Age When Diagnosed: 44 Breast Cancer Type: Stage 3, triple negative, invasive ductal carcinoma I Am A: Survivor, Educator, Friend

and use it in your fight. You are stronger than you think.

The Eurocentric bias that is built into the healthcare and support systems is a disservice to the Black breast cancer community. The lack of research, information and communication regarding how certain medications affect Black patients uniquely is frustrating and disheartening. I am grateful for the Black nurses who could give me the inside scoop and

“I’M HERE BECAUSE MY BODY GOT ME THROUGH THIS” prepare me for some of the very unexpected side effects such as extreme changes in skin pigmentation. What happens to all the Black women who do not by chance get those experienced Black nurses who can help you brace yourself and know what to expect? My experience with a program intended to build my self-esteem, left me feeling more marginalized and de-valued than when I went into the program because they did not have appropriate products for Black women. Did they not anticipate that a Black woman would want to look and feel good, too?

I needed to be a part of this amazing resource because Black women need to see themselves represented in this challenging breast cancer journey, which is isolating enough, in and of itself. We don’t deserve to be in the margins of the margins. We deserve to be recognized, acknowledged and supported too.

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Boob Bio // Name: Kristal Age When Diagnosed: 36 Breast Cancer Type: Triple Negative I Am An: Educator, Human Rights Activist, Rethinker

I WAS DIAGNOSED with TNBC on May 17th, 2018, on my second son’s first birthday. I was 36, a mom of two small children, my oldest son being four years old. When I felt my bump just two weeks earlier, I had said to myself, “Well, if they (my boobies) gotta go, they gotta go.” After attending all the hospital’s educational sessions, along with my husband at my side, I decided to have a double mastectomy with immediate implants. Having the BRCA1 genetic marker means I am also at-risk for ovarian cancer, so after much reflection, my decision was to have both of my ovaries removed after I completed my six rounds of chemotherapy (FEC-D). The images I saw of women’s scarring were primarily of those who were white/ light skinned, so it was hard for me to gauge what my body might look like post-surgery.

The night before my mastectomy surgery, I had a “Farewell to Kristal’s boobies” party (it was fun and light-hearted). Post-surgery, even though I got to keep my nipples, sensation was significantly reduced but I am much more ok with it now and I even enjoy the sensation that I do have.

“THE IMAGES I SAW OF WOMEN’S SCARRING WERE PRIMARILY OF THOSE WHO WERE WHITE/LIGHT SKINNED” My biggest advice is to listen to yourself, always. Give yourself time to investigate what you think is important. For me, I chose to opt for prophylactic surgery with my ovaries. I chose to have chemotherapy.

Growing up in my homeland of Trinidad & Tobago, I knew what it was to live a third world life. I am so thankful for the excellent healthcare and options I had throughout my whole cancer experience here in Canada.

Even though at every step, each decision was not an easy one, I did it with a light heart and with gratitude that I had excellent doctors at my side.

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Boob Bio // Name: Vivene Age When Diagnosed: 41 Breast Cancer Type: Inflammatory, invasive ductal carcinoma, HER 2 Positive I Am A: Fighter, Breastie, Advocate

BEFORE BREAST CANCER, I had a positive relationship with my breasts. They were part of my identity and the way I viewed myself as a woman. I swam a lot, so I had strong pectoral muscles and firm tissue; I thought they were pretty good and in proportion to my body. After diagnosis my relationship was negative and I thought the full, dense tissue might have hidden the cancer. I felt my breasts were a source of trauma and pain and that breast cancer ruined my life. I felt men would no longer be attracted to me because of physical changes in the way I looked (shallow, I know). Really, it’s taken two years to reconnect with my breasts and see them positively again.

I had a strong attachment to my hair. People would stop me on the street and compliment it. I was an early adopter of wearing natural hair for social and political reasons and it was a big part of my identity as a Black woman. Losing it was extremely traumatic and it definitely impacted my sense of self. My hair has grown back, but it is completely different and super straight so I’m struggling a little to know what hairstyle to have.

The surgeon did a really excellent job (for having gone through 23

invasive surgery, I felt the scarring could have been way worse and I was mentally trying to prepare for the worst scenario). What I really don’t like is my port-a-cath scar (my breast surgeon told me that he thought the surgeon who did the port-a-cath did a poor job and I agree!). I wasn’t a fan of the radiation tattoos and I really question whether this is necessary—to me it seems it is not patient-centric, it benefits the radiation professionals saving time to constantly take measurements. When I was first diagnosed, I felt I couldn’t think clearly. I went along with things at the

“I DON’T THINK THERE IS A LOT OF EDUCATION ABOUT THE CANCERS THAT AFFECT BLACK WOMEN MORE” beginning because I thought the experts knew best. I didn’t take active control and advocate for myself the way I do now. For example, I was referred to a hospital for treatment, that in hindsight, I would not have picked for several reasons. In the beginning everything moves so fast, but I would like other woman to know that the system is not necessarily patient-focused, so advocate for yourself strongly.

I don’t think there is a lot of education about the cancers that affect Black women more; I don’t think there is understanding about the trauma and scarring that can occur through surgery and radiation. It’s been two

years and every time people see my port-a-cath scar, they think I had the surgery last week! My radiation burns have still not fully healed and again, it’s been close to two years. I think we are not heard and many times our pain is not taken seriously—we are often prescribed drugs without being properly told about alternatives or side effects.

In general, I think we can be excluded from the discussion about breast cancer, it’s not necessarily deliberate but I think it is critical that be changed.

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Boob Bio // Name: Keisha Age When Diagnosed: 42 Breast Cancer Type: Triple Negative I Am: Strength, Resiliency, Courage

I FEEL LIKE I am at a crossroads so to speak. I can’t say honestly I don’t live in fear but with my treatment now in the rear-view mirror, sometimes I get scared and feel it will creep back in. Some days are easier, and I now have immense appreciation for life.

Before I was diagnosed, I didn’t have much of a connection to my breasts other than when I was younger and nursing my children, as it was important for me to provide them with nourishment. I don’t regret losing my breast. In turn, I have my life and I can enjoy watching my girls grow up and spend time with friends and family. I do miss feeling even. Right now, I feel lopsided because even if I wear a padded bra, it is still obvious that there’s an empty area. Lately, I’ve been wearing a sports bra, which helps minimize the look.

If you’ve been newly diagnosed, be easy on yourself. Nothing you did caused cancer. Don’t feel shy to ask questions because it will enable you to get the best care. Try to have a family member or friend attend appointments with you, especially during chemo when your brain may not

“I FEEL THIS INITIATIVE IS A STEP FORWARD TO BRINGING AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR WOMEN OF COLOUR” be as sharp and physically you may feel like you’ve collided with a Mack truck. When you can, journal your feelings.

I feel this initiative is a step forward to bringing awareness and support for women of colour. I want to be part of the change and advocate for more research, data (including risk reduction) and more transparency within the oncology sector for women of colour as it has not been a priority for the healthcare sector.

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In This Skin

From radiation, port, surgery scars and nipple tattoos to all shades, shapes and sizes, Black bodies affected by breast cancer are beautiful and deserve to be visible. Black breast cancer representation matters.

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Contributors // NICOLE SIMMONS is a visual artist and creative collaborator based out of Toronto. With a love for striking imagery, and proven experience in art direction, styling and design, she is an active participant in the creative process from conception to final stages.

ASHLEY IRIS GILL is a queer Cinematographer from Toronto, Canada. She has worked on projects ranging from music videos, documentaries, shorts and commercials. Ashley plans to continue capturing the world through her emotive and unique gaze.

“Breast cancer runs in my family and took my grandma away from me as a teenager.

She too lacked support, understanding and had healthcare workers that didn’t do right by her. Being a part of this project was my chance to honour my grandma, shed light, and help capture the beauty and resiliency of these wonderful women of colour.”

RAHNELLE BRANTON is a Toronto-based professional makeup artist with experience surrounding the music, fashion and film industries. Whether it’s working on creatives, photoshoots, videos, films, weddings, Rahnell is always able to bring skill and personality.

“I’ve lost family to cancer and I’ve never really heard their experiences, so this project was enlightening and fulfilling, and seeing the women’s reactions to their faces was heartwarming.”

Jasmine Merinsky for P1M (P1M.CA); Ashley Iris Gill image by Reid Marshall

“I wanted to be involved in this project to honour my Aunt Beverly who passed away from breast cancer but was also one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.

Representation matters and makes us feel seen and heard. I am honoured that Rethink, and the women who were involved in this project, put their trust in me to capture the beauty and strength of not only their scars but their stories.”

JASMINE MERINSKY found that her calling was to help make the world a better place, through the beauty industry. Jasmine has over 10 years of experience working as a hair and makeup pro and has worked with celebrities like Samira Wiley, Elaine Welteroth and Tia Mowry.

“The women’s stories that were shared with me while getting glam were so powerful and reminded me of why I do what I do.”

Acknowledgements // CREATOR Michelle Audoin

FOUNDER + EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RETHINK MJ DeCoteau PROJECT DIRECTOR Tania Kwong ART DIRECTOR Leanna Ruggiero

MANAGING EDITOR Emily Piercell

PROJECT MANAGER Kendra Hinds PHOTOGRAPHY Nicole Simmons LIGHTING Fatima Camara

MAKEUP Rahnelle Branton HAIR Jasmine Merinsky

CINEMATOGRAPHY Ashley Iris Gill VIDEO EDITOR Elyse Waslat

SOUND MIXING Nathaniel Lingard Special thank you to Ūnika Swim for generously outfitting the participants of Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project and gifting each participant with a suit to take home.

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Notes //

Uncovered

A BR E A ST RECOGN I T ION PROJECT

VOLUME

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Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, is more than images and stories of a few women at varying stages of their breast cancer journeys.

This project is a way of uncovering the voices of women of colour who are left in the dark when looking to see themselves represented in the cancer community.

- MICHELLE AUDOIN

ncovered

A BR E A ST RECOGN I T ION PROJECT

Rethink Breast Cancer would like to thank Pfizer Canada for funding Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project 2021.

Rethink would also like to thank those who have chosen to participate in this project. Through your contributions and shared experiences as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour with breast cancer, we will be helping to improve the lives of young people with breast cancer, together.

On the cover: Michelle Audoin (right) and Caroline Falaiye (left) for Uncovered.

Michelle is the creator of the Uncovered resource, and has brought this year’s edition to life in collaboration with her dear friend Caroline, as a part of Rethink’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Caroline also participates in sharing her own story in this year’s resource.

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AS A BLACK WOMAN, I FOUND THE NEED TO CREATE A RESOURCE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT WOMEN OF COLOUR DIDN’T CREATE. The lack of representation of BI&POC bodies in the clinical cancer setting feeds a false narrative that we don’t get cancer, that we shouldn’t talk about it, that images of our bodies and scars don’t matter, or that earlier detection and screening guidelines don’t matter.

After releasing Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project into the world in 2020, I saw how much it resonated with women who saw themselves through my own experiences, and not just Black women, but women of colour and Indigenous women too.

However, it was also surprising and troubling for me to learn that a year after Uncovered was launched, there were still women who felt like they were not truly seen and heard during their care, whether it was lack of access to reconstruction images featuring women of colour, or the misinformation about what radiation burns look like on dark skin. This is what inspired the second edition of Uncovered and the theme of Now You See Me, Now You Don’t. The cover, shared with my dear friend Caroline, speaks to how women of colour are coming together to support one another to be seen and heard. This edition strives to shine a light on the humanity and various experiences

of the women who courageously stepped forward to share their stories. And at the same time, it speaks to how the cancer care community is lagging behind in its ability to make systemic changes that would directly impact the lives and experiences of the BI&POC community. This resource illuminates these realities – see them, hear them, act on them.

What inspired me most in this second edition of Uncovered is how there is a call to action, a path forward, a wish list, if you will, to empower those working in the cancer care community to do better in ways that actually support meaningful change.

This edition of Uncovered is more diverse, but it doesn’t by any means reflect the diversity and voices of so many others who don’t see their stories, images and needs addressed in the cancer care community. There are stories of women who felt heard and empowered by their healthcare teams. It is equally important to hear these stories as they highlight that making the experience culturally inclusive for all women is within reach. However, there is still work to be done.

Simply put, this edition is an appeal for concrete and measurable actions that will eliminate the disparities and discrepancies in cancer care so that every aspect of a breast cancer diagnosis can truly be an inclusive experience for all. It is something everyone working in cancer care can achieve if one is truly listening to the needs and concerns of the women sharing the space with them.

MICHELLE AUDOIN Creator, Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project 5

NO MATTER THE ROADBLOCKS, OFF-DAYS, OR RAIN CHECKS THAT COME, WE KEEP ON GOING.

One of the many things the past two years have shown us is that no matter the roadblocks, off-days, or rain checks that come, we keep on going. We keep moving forward, together. In this resiliency that we’ve come to meet every day, there have been shifts. Shifts that are sounding the alarm to the realities Black, Indigenous and People of Colour have been living, but that many of us are only now realizing the impact of. Community and belonging are important now more than ever, but we recognize many of the spaces and systems in our world haven’t reflected that reality of humanity. That’s what Uncovered represents: amplifying the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour who have not been heard or seen for far too long in the breast cancer community, in our healthcare systems, in society.

We knew that creating this resource with Michelle Audoin last year was just the beginning of Uncovered. There were and are so many stories that deserve and need to be heard. That’s why, in collaboration with Michelle and Rethink’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, we created a second edition of the resource, to continue this important conversation.

Thank you, Michelle, for continuing to trust Rethink with helping to bring this project to life and being such an instrumental advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in healthcare spaces. And thank you to all the incredible, brave, powerful people who have participated in Uncovered. It is an honour to listen to your stories.

You are paving the way forward for all of us in your sharing, and we’ll continue our efforts to get this resource into the hands of those who can help on the mission to make real change, including cancer care teams.

Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project is so many things: a resource, an inspiration, a call to action, a conversation, a wakeup call, a community. We are grateful for everyone who has contributed to amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour with breast cancer through this project and holding space to build our collective community of belonging.

MJ DECOTEAU Founder & Executive Director, Rethink Breast Cancer

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FRANKIE

I am a mother.

I am a survivor.

I am a warrior.

WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED, I was in a state of shock, and the weight of my diagnosis did not hit me at the time. I have lost all the things that made me who I was, my independence, my job, my goals, all these things I wanted to do for myself. The reality is I have to rethink what I can do now. My mental health is struggling because I am starting to feel what this disease actually does to you. It robs you of so much of your life and I hate that.

People don’t understand the cost of having metastatic breast cancer.

Women of colour need to know where they can receive support because there are few options and this is a barrier. A lot of the metastatic breast cancer drugs are not covered by our healthcare system. When I look at how much my medication costs, I wonder and worry that if I have to take this for the rest of my life, how will I pay for it if I am not working?

As a Jamaican-Canadian, a cultural barrier that I see in the Caribbean community is the need to keep everything a secret. The moment I announced I was diagnosed, I was met with comments from family asking me why I was sharing my experience publicly and suggesting that I should

She/Her Jamaican-Canadian Diagnosed at 43 years old Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, IDC.

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have kept it to myself. When my doctor asked me about my family history, I said there was none that I knew of. When I actually looked and asked my family, I realized cancer was extremely present in my family history.

I did not know this because it was never discussed. Too many people are afraid to speak up about what they are going through, scared they will be condemned. Why are we condemning our loved ones for speaking their truth?

I want people of colour to remember you don’t have to do this alone, hide it or keep it a secret. You should not feel ashamed. This diagnosis changes who you are as a person and it makes you reevaluate things. Take whatever lesson, blessing or whatever you want to take from it. Take it and let it transform you, because it will transform you into something more beautiful and more raw. Even though it is hard, I feel so much freer now than I did before. Why would you hide that experience? Not only are you helping change yourself, but you also don’t know who else you are helping. Our health should not be something that we put on the backburner and hide in secret. We should be putting it out there, we should be setting the example to others that our health matters.

What would help me feel more seen in the cancer care community is having more women of colour that I can identify with and also having adequate access to information. I want to share my experiences as an offering to others, so they can at least know what I know and use that information as they wish because there is not enough information out there for us.

“You don’t have to do this alone.”

RHEA

I am a teacher.

I am a learner.

I am a survivor.

“Healthcare institutions are not bias free.”

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She/Her Indian, South Asian Diagnosed at 38 years old HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma

“There are unique challenges to being a woman of colour with breast cancer.”

HOW COULD I POSSIBLY HAVE BREAST CANCER? The quintessential breast cancer patient was an older white woman, with grey hair and a pink shirt being supported by her middle-aged daughter. A grandmother! Not a young South Asian mom with a daughter in kindergarten and a baby.

Being part of this year’s Uncovered Project was incredibly important to me because I want young South Asian women who are newly diagnosed to know that they are not alone, and that there are unique challenges to being a woman of colour with breast cancer.

One challenge came early on in my treatment. A few days after my diagnosis, I was scheduled for a partial mastectomy. A few weeks later, I had a central line placed in my chest to save my veins from chemotherapy.

During a follow-up, my surgeon surveyed my twin scars with disappointment: they were not healing well. The 10cm scar across my right breast was already starting to form a ropey, thickened raised scar and my smaller central line scar was inflamed and still painful to the touch. When I asked why my scar didn’t look like the thin, nearly invisible pink lines ubiquitous on the internet,

my surgeon attributed my unsightly scars to bad luck. It wasn’t until almost a year later when I was wincing in pain at my central line scar, now a series of three very sensitive knots of scar tissue, that a South Asian nurse commented offhandedly that in her experience, many people of colour have difficulties with healing after surgery and that melanated skin often forms keloid scars. As soon as I got home, I found articles that supported my nurse’s observations: dark skin, particularly Black skin, is significantly more likely to form thickened keloid scars.

This was not the only time that I felt that my needs as a woman of colour were not being met. As I attended my 24th radiation session, I asked my specialist what I could expect as my skin had begun to show signs of radiation damage. She said that I could expect “redness or a bright pink colour, similar to a sunburn.” I nodded and took notes, though I had never had a sunburn. Over the next few days, I watched as my skin turned darker and darker until my skin began to take a turn for the worse: it was black, tight and splitting open at the creases. The unexpected is an especially scary thing when it comes to cancer. I immediately scheduled an appointment and waited for nearly three hours for someone to see my breast and five minutes for them to declare it normal. Frustrated, I asked why my skin had not turned red or pink as suggested. The answer: white skin turns pink or red, but dark skin gets darker. This single experience had a profound effect on me: it made me feel marginalized by my cancer care team. Here at a major Toronto cancer centre, my specialists were choosing not to truly see me.

My experiences above highlight how healthcare institutions are not bias free. Covert discrimination exists in the form of delays in diagnosis, exclusion and misinformation and comes at the expense of the mental and physical health of the patient. I believe that sharing our stories is fundamental to identifying, questioning and dismantling the biases inherent in our healthcare institutions.

CAROLINE

I am strength.

I am a mother.

I am a thriver.

MY BREAST CANCER JOURNEY BEGAN more than 20 years ago, when I lost my mother to the disease. I was 24 years old. That same year, months before she died, I had my first biopsy.

I remember her sadness and fear when I told her, and her relief, when we learned the tumor was benign.

So, breast cancer has always been lurking in the shadows, yet it still shook me to my core when I learned I had breast cancer. I immediately thought of my mom, who was diagnosed at the same age 44, and died two years later at age 46, the age I am now. I was struck by the similarities, and I had a lot of fear, but held onto the hope that things would be different for me.

She/Her Nigerian-Canadian Diagnosed at 44 years old Stage 2, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, HER2 triple positive breast cancer.

I am very grateful to have had an oncologist who understood what Black women with breast cancer often experience. He prepared me for some of the unique changes I could experience as a Black woman including changes in my gum colour and skin pigmentation. I felt seen, and respected.

There is so much I have learned along the way and every experience will be different, but I offer the following. First, you are not alone.

Surround yourself with people who love and care for you and who uplift

“I felt seen and respected.”

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your spirits. This can be an isolating journey, but it doesn’t have to be an awful one. There can be moments of joy even in the most trying circumstances.

Second, advocate for yourself. It is your body, so don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and do what is right for you.

Take someone with you to your appointments.

The volume of information is often overwhelming and you may not be in the right state of mind to absorb it all.

Lastly, it is easy to be overcome by your emotions. Give yourself time and permission to cry, laugh, scream, get angry, and feel what you need to feel.

As a Black woman with cancer, there was a lot of cultural baggage that I had to navigate. Of the more harmful is the expectation to keep things quiet.

Family members told me not to tell anyone about my diagnosis. My mom followed that ethos and kept her diagnosis a secret. I chose to share my story, but on my own terms. It was very difficult and it goes against how I was raised. But, once I overcame my fear of talking about my diagnosis, I felt freer. Talking about it helped me better understand myself, and connected me to others experiencing the same thing.

I continue to be inspired by Michelle’s vision—to uncover Black women’s stories and experiences on their breast cancer journey. Until the day I was diagnosed, I thought of breast cancer as a white woman’s disease, despite my family history. Because even though my mom died from breast cancer, her story, like many other black women, is never told.

We do not see ourselves represented in the images and stories in the public domain and in the breast cancer care community. We need to be seen, we need to be listened to, and we need to be better supported, in order to get better care, and health outcomes. It is my hope that this resource will continue the dialogue and inspire other Black women to tell their stories.

MELISSA I am a challenger.

I am a mentor.

I am me.

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“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but people do.”

She/Her

WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED, I decided to retreat and create boundaries, Diagnosed at 46 years old and that is my advice for others in a similar situation. I also announced Stage 2, ER+ breast cancer. my diagnosis on social media because I wanted to control my own narrative.

I don’t want to be a Black woman with breast cancer, I just want to be a person who had breast cancer, and have equitable options that support my chances of survival as my white friends have. I had to stand my ground when I started advocating and talking about my story as a Black woman with breast cancer. White friends and acquaintances started questioning why I was bringing race into it because “cancer is cancer.” The reality is, this is a race issue because it is my life and my mortality. It’s about race because the research and statistics often represent white people, and do Caribbean-Canadian

not represent the trials and tribulations that I am going to face as a Black woman. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but people do.

I am grateful that I had a great medical team who understood their privilege and were generally willing to listen and learn from my perspective.

This was important as it gave me more energy to focus on myself. My white reconstruction surgeon told me upfront that he did not have examples of people of colour to show me what my surgery results could look like.

He did not make an assumption that white breasts are similar to mine.

He recognized the gap and prefaced that for me. My other surgeon knew people of colour could get keloids - scars which are specific to melanated skin. These encounters were so important and made me feel seen.

However, I also encountered microaggressions that were harmful, and I felt the lack of representation in the support services provided. This was an unexpected stressor for me to navigate. I also could not identify myself in the way I wanted that accurately reflected who I am. If you don’t know who I am as a patient, how could you treat me in the best way? I had a nurse ask me where I was born and raised while preparing me for chemo—this question is not inclusive nor does it help them get to know me as a person. It is a microaggression disguised as curiosity. It is a reminder that I do not belong.

People do see colour but they do not want to see the reality of what people of colour endure.

I chose to be a part of this project because I cannot say we need better representation and not be a part of that change. This is a good opportunity to gather our collective voice because there is strength in numbers to build the kind of world we deserve. This isn’t just checking a box of doing something for people of colour. It is not Uncovered for the month, it is Uncovered forever.

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VICKY I am an auntie.

I am a sister.

I am a knowledge keeper.

WHILE I WAS DIAGNOSED in 2019, my treatment started officially in 2021. It took a process of me Inuk relationship-building with my Diagnosed at 43 healthcare team and getting Stage 2 cancerous lump. them on board with me, to build trust and get to a comfortable space to proceed. I had the ‘luxury’ of a slow moving and low-grade diagnosis to be able to take the time to really do what felt best for me.

She/Her

As an Indigenous woman, I have hesitancies with the western medical system. In my experience, it often treats the symptom, when I am looking for a cause. There is a mass of abnormal cells and they want to remove it, but I want to know and address why it’s there in the first place. It’s also about my culture and beliefs. Indigenous People have been around for centuries without this system. It’s a new system for us to have to work with, we’re still adapting. This process has been a lot of me trusting my intuition.

The first surgeon I had was dismissive, speaking to me, not with me, and telling me what I needed to do with my body. He didn’t ask me anything about what I wanted or how I felt. I chose to get a second opinion. My truth was more important to me than caring about what my medical team thought about me.

The second surgeon and team was more willing to work with me. The hospital had both an Indigenous Patient Navigator and an Elder on site, so I had cultural support. Knowing the Indigenous Patient Navigator was there for me was immeasurable to me feeling grounded and supported,

“Know that in the entire process, you have choice.”

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having someone by my side who understood. He confirmed that I was doing the right thing by communicating my needs. It’s so important for the healthcare teams to know these kinds of supports are available for patients and offer them, not only for Indigenous women, but for Black women and other people of colour, immigrants, etc. I think of everyone who goes through this system, and they all deserve a patient navigator like I had who understands them and can help. I’m so blessed that I had someone there.

I want that for everyone.

My advice for others going through this is to really connect with yourself, so you can know what feels right for you. Know that in the entire process, you have choice. There is a grieving process we need to work through with this diagnosis, because it is devastating. If I showed up to my treatment having not taken care of myself, not having processed that grief, I wouldn’t have the strength and grace to move through that process with dignity and integrity to myself and what I deserve. And it’s up to us to show up in that way.

I was afraid that I was going to lose myself in surgery. I prayed not only for myself, but I also always prayed for the medical team. I woke up from surgery and just burst into tears in gratitude that I was not broken. My physical body had been altered, but my spirit was strong and whole. That was a big lesson: the spirit is unbreakable and can get us through these seemingly impossible times. I promise there is medicine through this experience. I look at scars as signs that I’ve been through life and I’m still here. Now I get to share my story with others who may need this. That’s the privilege. There is not just the voice of the medical system, there are the voices of all of us.

OCTAVIA I am alluring.

I am industrious.

I am resilient.

THERE IS HEAVY STIGMA in the Black community surrounding mental health, admitting to needing help, trusting healthcare professionals or authority, and opening up about personal struggles and experiences.

Unknowingly, this has become a part of our culture, taught and passed down. Knowing that these underlying factors have been set in the minds of family around me, there was difficulty having fluid open lines of communication about what I was experiencing and feeling when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Having gone through treatment, I implore all women of colour who have been diagnosed with cancer to jot down and ask questions and get all the clarification required.

They say there is no such thing as a dumb question; on this journey that stands true. As independent as you may be, have a designated person who is briefed on all the information required for your treatment plan.

There may be moments when you are too mentally and physically exhausted to deal with everything.

Going through this experience has shown me how fragmented the healthcare system is. There are supports available, but healthcare

She/Her Black/Indian Guyanese Diagnosed at 32 years old Stage 2, IDC High Grade ER/PRHER2+ breast cancer.

“It’s not just white people who get cancer.” professionals often do not mention them. Most often it is up to you to find the resources, get in touch with the doctor to issue the referral, and then follow up with the office to which you were referred. This process is very stressful, especially when you are enduring so much mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. If the healthcare system could create a program or a system where referrals for support are automated as soon as you are diagnosed and you can decline any service(s) of which you feel is of no need, this can ease the burden of dealing with cancer.

There has been very minimal representation of women of colour in support groups, pamphlets, nurses, doctors and even information that is given to you from healthcare professionals. The healthcare sector still fails to recognize that it’s not just white people who get cancer, Black people do too, and the methods, medicines, practices and treatments that have been created and adopted for hundreds of years have to evolve with the times as well.

Healthcare professionals need to be mindful that their patients are not cookie cutter. While the book they learned from is a guideline created with data from the ‘standard control’ (a white male/female) remember there is a life in your hands that is not white and does not follow that mold.

I want to bring awareness to the lack of representation of Black women with breast cancer and be a voice for these women who have to face these struggles and fight for their life at the same time.

You are not alone and I can empathize with your pain. Advocate for yourself.

Speak up! If it means going over someone’s head and breaking that chain of command to be recognized and be seen, do not be afraid to do it so you are respectfully heard.

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MICHELLE

I am a mother.

I am a believer.

I am a survivor.

HAVING CANCER DURING the She/Her pandemic made it even more Trinidadian, West Indian isolating than I suspect it usually is, but I would have loved for my Diagnosed at 40 years old experience to be somehow more Stage 2, DCIS, HER 2- breast personalized, with a dedicated cancer person to help me navigate through all of the things that I was going through. I know within the healthcare system there are so many things going on that I think at times they get desensitized and forget we are human beings going through a scary thing.

After my doctor told me of my diagnosis, the nurse handed me a folder with information about support groups, cancer and types of surgeries. As appreciative as I was for the information, it still felt like I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. One of the things I did was join support groups, and for a while I found a lot of people didn’t look like me at all, but once I found a group where there were other women like me going through the same experience, I was so relieved. I want people to know there are so many of us out there. It’s unfortunate that we really have to search to find others that look like us, but I encourage you to join support groups.

“I felt like I was alone trying to figure out how to heal, and it was scary.”

In addition to my cancer diagnosis, I was also juggling being a mom and taking care of my son, which usually means putting him first and focusing on his needs. Especially as moms or women, we carry this extra burden of having to take care of everybody when really we just need to focus on ourselves sometimes. Just make it a priority to take care of yourself.

I remember the first time I looked at my scar after having my surgery and it was devastating, just the shock of seeing everything that happened to 27

me being marked on my body. By the end of my radiation, all of my skin under the arm and breast had peeled off and I looked like I was a victim of a really bad burn. It was horrible. No one had told me that this could possibly happen. I was told to use a generic cream that everyone uses, however, it didn’t work for my skin or skin type and I feel there should have been more options provided. It felt like I was alone trying to figure out how to make myself heal, and it was scary.

I also want others to know that you don’t have to fill up your time doing things. Sometimes you don’t need to do anything, just sit. It does wonders.

It has been important for me to go through the emotions of being sad and grieving, but just also being with myself to fully feel all of it.

My real recovery didn’t start until after my active treatment was done when I was able to feel my feelings.

“Sometimes you don’t need to do anything, just sit.”

Being a part of this resource has been such an amazing opportunity, I have never seen anything like it before. Just being there at the photoshoot was a full-circle moment for me, bringing everything to this moment. Here’s what has happened to me and now look at me! It is just an amazing thing and I am glad to be a part of it.

MAJA I am a thriver.

I am a warrior.

I am resilient.

“There was an expectation that I should keep it to myself.”

She/Her Filipina and Spanish Diagnosed at 39 years old Stage 3C Triple Negative Metaplastic Breast Cancer, BRCA2+.

AFTER I RECEIVED MY DIAGNOSIS, there was an expectation that I should keep it to myself. A big thing in our culture is to keep things quiet which leads to isolation. It is not helpful at all and honestly staying silent can put you deeper into the rabbit hole.

It makes it harder to come to terms with what has happened to you.

For other Filipino or Spanish people, do not be ashamed to share your story and speak your truth. You do not have to remain silent, it is okay to reach out and ask for help. There is this stereotype that Asian women tend to be quieter and more reserved, and I feel like that is how many think they need to behave. Even if someone is more reserved, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t

be seen. Sharing your story and helping others will fill your soul. Battling cancer can be extremely isolating and if I can help one person, that alone makes my heart full.

I wish the cancer community did more to have Black, Indigenous and People of Colour represented in things like brochures, blog posts, resources, etc.

During my surgeries, I tried to find photos of other Filipina women to get an idea of what I could expect or may look like afterwards. I couldn’t find any photos and this was hard. Our scars, colouring and overall aftermath of surgeries can look very different in comparison to white skin, which is often the only skin colour in photographs or examples available in resources.

From a Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) perspective, it is important to have more recognition for Filipina and Spanish women. TNBC tends to impact us at a higher rate than white women. Cultural barriers, stigma, and inequality in the cancer care community make this a really difficult experience to navigate.

This is why I wanted to be a part of this resource – I wanted to represent Filipina and Spanish women as there aren’t too many in the cancer community who are willing to share their stories. It’s important to have representation for every race as cancer impacts us all. Equality is unity.

Cancer is not a gift, but the people you meet and the community you find are. It fills my heart with love.

To be able to share my story and have people around me just get it and understand what I am going through really helps me to keep going and feel less isolated.

IN THIS The strength and solidarity of BI&POC voices serves as a reminder that ending the disparities and discrepancies that these women face when diagnosed with breast

cancer should be a priority for all who work in cancer care.

OUR WISH LIST

S SKIN • • • • • •

Images of reconstruction featuring women of colour Canadian race-based research and data More diverse support groups and patient resources Patient-friendly integrated referral system Culturally sensitive healthcare providers Ethnically and culturally diverse patient navigators

REMEMBERING

Faith Walker 1978-2021

“She was the embodiment of her name.”

— Michelle Audoin

Photo by Nicole Simmons

Faith Walker was one of the first women to participate in the Uncovered Project in 2020. In January 2021, Faith passed away, after living with metastatic breast cancer since 2008. It was such an honour to have known Faith and worked alongside her for the first edition of Uncovered. She was a fearless advocate for Black women with metastatic breast cancer. Faith courageously shared her story as a thriver in hopes of helping other women of colour with breast cancer feel seen. Faith’s story lives on through her impact made in the community, including her contribution to this project.

“My advice to newly-diagnosed Black women is to advocate for yourself. Bring a support person to your appointments. I record most of my doctor’s appointments to make sure I don’t miss anything and also to protect myself. Healthcare professionals often don’t take Black women seriously and we are often not given the medication and support we need. Do your research and know that it’s your body and you can decide your course of treatment. Try to find support through other Black women living with cancer, even if it’s through social media.”

— Faith Walker Read more of Faith’s story in the first Uncovered resource from 2020.

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CONTRIBUTORS

VONNY LORDE (they/them)

CHRRIS LOWE (she/her)

aka LastnameLorde is a Photographer and Creative Director with unique expertise in film photography. Their chronicles are documented in their book FILMFORFUN which operates as an annual photo exhibit. Vonny’s work can be seen in Noisey, Complex, and in alignment with brand campaigns with Chanel, Budlight, Sony and Warner Music.

is a Mississauga based film director, video editor and creator/ host of the Good Conversation podcast with experience in music videos, short films, documentaries and commercials. Chrris’s focus is on honest representation of her subjects. Often with a focus on design elements like colour story, location, composition and styling, that brings the subject to the forefront of the story, Chrris’s work explores the contrast of life experiences and our ability to hold space for many different ideas, emotions and thoughts simultaneously.

“I really wanted to be a part of this project because I’m a firm believer that it is important for women, especially women of colour, to be seen from our own gaze. Too often we are forced to view ourselves from the gaze of someone who doesn’t represent us and our community which leads to inaccurate representation. It’s so important for women to reclaim their power and voice, and I believe that this project greatly represents that.”

“I wanted to be a part of this project because it is extremely important to me to tell stories that are not often heard. I’m honored to hold space for theses women and represent them in an honest and beautiful way.”

JASMIN WINNIE STEPHEN

JASMINE MERINSKY (she/her)

(she/her) is a modern makeup artist based in Toronto, Canada.

She trained for makeup in film and television at the worldrenowned Sheridan College’s Oakville campus. She’s passionate about the creative process, exploring artistic expression, supported by obsessive preparation and meticulous research, to find the appropriate creative solution. She loves using her art to uncover her subject’s personality, creativity and vibe through makeup.

found that her calling was to help make the world a better place, through the beauty industry.

Jasmine has over 10 years of experience working as a hair and makeup pro and has worked with celebrities like Samira Wiley, Elaine Welteroth and Tia Mowry.

“The women’s stories that were shared with me while getting glam were so powerful and reminded me of why I do what I do.”

“I wanted to be a part of this project so I can help uplift these beautiful, strong women to share their stories and help bring awareness. This process really opened my eyes and really reminded me what is important in life. I’m so thankful to have met and worked with this team!

Truly changed my life, so so so grateful!”

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Uncovered would not exist if it were not for Michelle Audoin choosing to create change and do something about the lack of representation she both has heard from others and experienced first-hand. Thank you, Michelle, for giving us the opportunity to help your vision become a reality so other Black, Indigenous and People of Colour can see themselves more accurately represented in the breast cancer community and healthcare system.

CREATOR Michelle Audoin CO-CREATORS Rethink’s Equity, Diversity + Inclusion Working Group (Michelle Audoin, Caroline Falaiye + Jasmine Sikand) FOUNDER, RETHINK BREAST CANCER MJ DeCoteau PROJECT PRODUCER + DIRECTOR Jasmine Sikand PROJECT MANAGERS Kendra Hinds + Alex Hourigan PHOTOGRAPHER Vonny Lorde HAIR Jasmine Merinsky MAKEUP Jasmin Winnie Stephen GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Omore SET DESIGNER Frances Santiago PORTRAIT OF ILLUMINATION—short film series DIRECTOR + EDITOR Chrris Lowe DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Charles Graham 1ST AC + GAFFER Zachary Guy AUDIO Ilich Mejia

ABOUT

Rethink Breast Cancer is your breast cancer movement. We’re a charity based in Canada with a global community, known for being the changemakers and rethinking the way we talk about the realities of breast cancer.

Rethink educates, empowers and advocates for system changes to improve the experience and outcomes of those with breast cancer, focusing on historically underserved groups: people diagnosed at a younger age, those with metastatic breast cancer and people systemically marginalized due to race, income or other factors. We foster spaces to connect, listen, empower and rethink breast cancer, together, putting the community’s voices firmly at the centre of our work, with an impact that improves the experience of all in the ways that matter most.

To read more from the participants and this project, visit rethinkbreastcancer.com/uncovered WEBSITE rethinkbreastcancer.com INSTAGRAM @rethinkbreastcancer FACEBOOK @rethinkbreastcancer TWITTER @rethinktweet YOUTUBE Rethink Breast Cancer

JOIN OUR MOVEMENT

Are you a person with breast cancer looking to connect with others?

The Rethink Network provides a safe space for community and conversations amongst people experiencing breast cancer at any stage.

It is a place to get support, have your questions answered, engage in meaningful conversations, learn and inspire, and connect with others who just get it. rethinkbreastcancer.com/network 39

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