Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": Replacing Mastectomy Scars With Tattoos

What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?

WHAT IS TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER?

Just in recent years, Triple Negative Breast Cancer has sparked interest in the news where instead of calling the tumor as ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative; researchers began using the shorthand term, "Triple Negative," dubbed the "new type" type of cancer. Being Triple Negative, you don't have a targeted therapy and that your only treatment option is chemotherapy.

Triple Negative is seen in about 15% of all breast cancers. Triple Negative is a very aggressive cancer that tends to strike younger women, pre-menopause, especially among African-American women and women who have BRCA1 mutations. The tumor tends to be fast growing and is less likely to show up on an annual mammogram. TN is more likely to metastasis early on; has a high rate of recurrence in the first 2-3 years from diagnosis and has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer due to lack of specific, targeted treatment for TNBC.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Replacing Mastectomy Scars With Tattoos

For many woman, losing their breast to cancer can be very traumatic, in a sense of their femininity being replaced with scarring and discoloration of the chest. Roni Falgout, a tattoo artist does post-reconstruction tattooing that covers mastectomy surgical scars on breast cancer survivors. The beautiful feminine designed tattoo artwork has changed survivors on how they look at themselves by hiding these scars that reminded them of how they lost their breast.

Health | First, you cry ... when mastectomy scars are transformed by tattoos | Seattle Times Newspaper (Click to Link)

Hidden Hand Tattoo

Roni Falgout, Tattoo Artist

3516 Fremont Pl N

Seattle, WA 98103

ph: 206.632.7313

www.hiddenhandtattoo.com

6 comments:

RachelAugust 11, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Beautiful tatoos. You'd never know what had happened to these women by looking at these breasts (unless you've been there or know plenty of people of who have)
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-MelissaSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Thanks Rachel, If these tattooing make these ladies feel good about themselves, I'd say go for it, transform those battle scars into a piece of art!
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AnonymousJuly 26, 2012 at 2:10 AM
I a had bilateral mastectomy in 2008 , and everyday I have to look at these scars ! It's heart wrenching ! I would love to get the tattoos , but can't find anyone to do them.
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RowanessqueFebruary 3, 2013 at 3:22 PM
http://www.hiddenhandtattoo.com/ she posted that above, wow Melissa I do hope you are well, so brave I love the way women are empowering themselves and going the extra mile to help themselves through the battle they have endured going through breast cancer treatment. I hope you are an inspiration to all women, and thank you for sharing your story with me and many other women. I wake up and thank God for every day I live and breathe, then I see people like you and I thank God for giving you the strength to endure the battle, and wear those scars with honour because you fought a war and you won.
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AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 12:04 PM
I too just had a bilateral mastectomy,and I now hate looking at myself in the mirror,even more I won't let my husband see me.Cancer takes alot from us including are self worth. I will continue to fight the battle with my head up high.I WILL WIN this battle,I am already thinking of a tattoo to cover my scares.and continue my life.
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