Tattoos that empower breast cancer survivors
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When someone has surgery to remove a lump or a breast, they’re sometimes left with scarring and without their nipple. That can be an unpleasant reminder of the disease.
Areola reconstruction aims to turn those breasts back into a symbol of survival.
Patti Spencer’s mother died of breast cancer. So when she was diagnosed 15 years ago, she acted fast. “It’s a lump. It shouldn’t be there. I want it out.”
She had a lumpectomy, but her left areola and nipple were removed along with the tumour. “They can restructure and rebuild breasts, but you’re still missing that component.”
Only now has she found a solution. Jennette Connors is a Fort Erie tattoo artist, who specializes in areola and nipple reconstruction in women who have had a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
“Layering in colour, layering in some shadows and highlights just to give the effect of a three-dimensional nipple.”
She works with women like Patti to recreate the breasts they had before cancer. Using the breast as a canvas, she creates an areola with specially chosen pigments and shades a nipple to appear 3D.
“It gives them as realistic a nipple as they can possibly have.”
Clients can also choose a more daring design to cover their scars; or like Patti, make a near-perfect match for their mate.
Patti’s tattoo still needs a second application, but she’s hopeful the finished product will look as natural as Jennette’s other work. “I looked in the mirror and went, there was something missing and now I feel balanced. Like a whole.”
Jennette from A Tat of Class in Fort Erie has her clients come for a few sessions to make sure she gets a perfect match in colour and size. each tattoo costs $400. and for these women, it’s more than worth it.
