I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and am a breast cancer survivor. I had read online in "The Good Men Project" in 2018 that "25 percent of men leave their wife when they first learn of her cancer diagnosis, and 70 percent of men will leave within two years of their wife’s terminal prognosis." I personally knew two such women. Beth had the same surgeon that I did. We happened to meet again in his office for a follow up many months after our surgery. She had been in a relationship for 3 years and decided to keep one breast. Perhaps hoping one might be enough for him to stay. I learned that afternoon the cancer had spread through her body. But the boyfriend didn't know because he had already left. The painting is a celebration of recovery and hopefully an encouragement for women to understand they are far more than a set of breasts. And women are increasingly choosing a bilateral mastectomy remaining flat to avoid any future risks. Men do not own our bodies. Nor do they have the right to define our physical aesthetics.

Added Mar 3, 2023

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