A woman had to have both her breasts and uterus removed after night sweats alerted her to cancer.
Cheryl Scott says the operations left her confidence at an all time low as she struggled to adjust to her new body.
But after a local artist offered to paint the 38-year-old she says she learnt to love herself again and hopes her story can inspire others.
Cheryl, who lives in Runcorn, Cheshire, began to feel more tired than usual back in 2019 and was experiencing "night sweats" but put it down to being busy.
But she said that with a strong history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in her family, she has always been taught to "check ourselves", and Cheryl found a lump in her breast while on holiday.
In December that year, she was given a diagnosis of breast cancer and surgery was scheduled for January, a single mastectomy [operation to remove a breast]. She told the Liverpool Echo : "That was a little rough because during covid you're kind of isolated on your own.
"We had to do a gene check and I found out I had the brca-1 gene [a gene mutation that puts you at higher risk of developing breast cancer] which meant I had to go for another mastectomy and a full hysterectomy [surgical removal of the womb] for preventative measures.
"That itself was quite difficult. I really wanted another baby and that was taken away but my self confidence had taken a knock. Being young, no-one explains what a mastectomy will bring to you mentally.
"Everyone assumes you've got fake boobs but it's not the case. Mentally, it's a rough ride. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror, especially when people say at least you're alive. You're grateful you're alive but it's still a huge hit. I still don't have any nipples."
With her confidence at an all time low, Cheryl posted on Instagram asking if someone would be willing to paint her in the hopes of bringing back some self-confidence.
That's when local artist John Charles - dubbed the 'Scouse Van Gogh' by his fans - got in touch, Cheryl said: "He's a local artist from Liverpool, a recovering addict who turned his life around.
"He shares his life stories to help others and is always supporting charities, raising money and awareness, especially for the Owen McVay foundation."
Cheryl said herself, and ten other women, were invited for a special photoshoot, funded by John himself, with an exhibition scheduled for July 30.
She added: "I wanted to feel great and try to fall in love with my body and learn to accept it. John got in touch and he fully funded the photoshoot for all of the women, of all shapes and sizes.
"It was incredible, It was the scariest thing I've ever done in my life but it was so empowering. I've seen one of the paintings and it's well better than I expected, John is just amazing."
Cheryl said her self-confidence has returned and she has shared an all-important message with others. She told the Echo: "Knowledge is definitely power. Your scars don't define you. If anything, it woke me up to life, now I embrace it.
"My self-confidence has definitely improved. I think everyone in life should get to experience something like the photoshoot at least once. My sister has just rung the bell for her cancer [to mark the end of her treatment], she got diagnosed just after me. She only has one breast after an infection but there's also a chance my daughters have the gene so they may need their breasts removed.
"Doing this, I wanted them to know that it's not all bad and you can still love yourself."
You can see John Charles' exhibition called 'Women' on July 30 between 2-4pm at the Baltic Hotel.
Signs of breast cancer
According to the NHS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, n but if caught early, recovery is good. Symptoms can include:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
- Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
