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Corrine’s Journey..
How do you transform pain into power? Corrine, a breast cancer survivor, chose to embrace her scars rather than hide them. Her journey of resilience and self-acceptance led her to my body impression art project, where she saw herself in a bold new way—beyond the mirror, beyond expectations.
In this exclusive Q&A, Corrine shares how her diagnosis changed her perspective, why she chose not to undergo reconstruction, and how seeing her body in art helped her celebrate her scars as symbols of strength.
Her story is raw, powerful, and a testament to the beauty of survival. Click through to see the artwork that brought her journey to life and learn how 15% of all related sales will support cancer research.
Turning Scars Into Strength Through ART
Story + Q&A, First Published March 2025
It was about a year today that Corrine's photo caught my eye on social media. It was for a cancer awareness campaign—she was standing in this bold, confident pose, rocking her mastectomy scars.
There was something so powerful about Corrine in this image—so bold, so raw, and so real. I felt compelled to get in touch with this incredible woman and share her story. I knew it would resonate with and inspire so many other women. At the time, I was working with other women and creating mixed media pieces celebrating their bodies and character.
My mind started firing… what an incredible impression Corrine’s body would make! How could I capture her boldness, her scars… how could I celebrate her and her journey?
Corrine’s Story
In June 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Corrine noticed that one of her nipples had become inverted. She instinctively knew something wasn’t right. She quickly made an appointment to get it checked out, and although she couldn’t feel a lump herself, her doctor did. The lump was located behind her nipple, in an unusual area, which is why Corrine couldn’t feel it.
That same month, she was fast-tracked for further tests, undergoing a mammogram, an ultrasound, and two biopsies. Just seven days later, she returned for her results and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Her husband was shaken by the news, but Corrine remained pragmatic and strong, keen to move forward with treatment.
Just two weeks after her diagnosis, she underwent a mastectomy on the affected breast. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reconstruction was not an immediate option, as only essential procedures were being prioritized. A few weeks later, when the conversation about reconstruction arose, Corrine realized that instead of replacing what was gone, she actually wanted the other breast removed as well. She felt physically unbalanced and lopsided and wanted to feel even on both sides.
In 2021, a year after her initial surgery, she proceeded with the removal of her second breast. She also underwent radiation therapy, but doctors decided that chemotherapy wasn’t necessary for her stage 2 diagnosis.
Corrine decided against reconstruction
“I had time to think about whether I wanted the reconstruction, but as the months went by, I realised I didn’t want it. My breasts didn’t define me, and I felt more comfortable knowing I could detect another lump easily without implants in the way."
Unlike many women who choose breast reconstruction, Corrine felt strongly about seeing and feeling her body as it was. “Boobs or no boobs, it doesn’t change who I am. You are who you are at your core, and that’s what matters. What mattered was that I was alive and recovering from something that could have killed me.”
Reflecting on her journey
“I was never scared of getting cancer. What scared me was getting it late—when it was terminal. My father died of cancer, and it was too late, he was riddled with it, so I am thankful I caught it at a stage where it could be treated.”
I asked Corrine to take part in my body impression art project, a form of creative expression that allows people to see their bodies in a different way. Since she didn’t live near me, I sent her the materials, and she created the impressions herself at home.
Q: What did it feel like when you created the impressions? Did you enjoy the process?
Corrine: “When I first started playing with the impressions and saw the paper, I was like—wait, is that what I look like? I loved how I could see my scars, my lumps, my bumps. The abstract nature of it made me appreciate my body in a whole new way. It didn’t look like ‘a body’ we are so used to seeing in a mirror. It was different and enduring.
It was so fun to just play. It gave me permission to get messy with paint. It actually took me back to my childhood when it felt normal to just play without overthinking. It was freeing, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I loved seeing my body from a different perspective.”
Q: What was your reaction when you saw your finished artwork?
Corrine: “I was blown away. It was bold and beautiful. The gold leaf highlighting my scars made them feel like something to be celebrated. Instead of seeing them as reminders of pain, I saw them as marks of strength. It felt like a tribute to everything I’ve been through. It was a moment of realization—this is my journey, this is me. I felt proud.”
Q: What message would you like to share with other women who are on a similar journey?
Corrine: “You are still you. You are the same person you were before your diagnosis, and you will come out more resilient. You will find a deeper love and appreciation for life. You won’t sweat the small stuff as much.”
“It shifts your perspective. It makes you more appreciative and grateful for every single day that you’re alive. It changes you—in a way that makes you cherish what really matters.”
Q: What helps you feel more body-confident?
Corrine: “Going through cancer has actually made me more body-confident. I’m lucky—I survived it. And at the end of the day, no matter what size I am, breasts or no breasts, I’m alive. My body has been through so much, but it’s still here with me."
"Also, my partner has been incredibly supportive. He has never cared about what size I am, whether I have breasts or not. He accepts me completely, and that kind of love makes a huge difference. Knowing that someone loves you for who you are, not for how you look—it reinforces that confidence from within.”
This summer marks five years cancer-free for Corrine. Her story is incredibly inspiring, highlighting strength, resilience, and the power of self-acceptance. By embracing her journey and celebrating her scars, she’s found a new sense of beauty and perspective. It’s powerful how her body impressions allowed her to redefine herself—not as someone who lost something, but as someone who has gained deeper self-love and insight.
Sharing these personal stories provides a much-needed counterbalance to the curated, one-sided images we see online. On the flip side, though, it’s important to remember that not everyone is ready to be so open, and sharing personal experiences can feel daunting or vulnerable for some.
However, those who do open up, like Corrine, help foster a more supportive, authentic community for others facing similar struggles. It’s about finding that balance between privacy and connection.
Beth x
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