A Mastectomy, Eight Years Cancer Free, And Vanessa Bell Calloway Still Loves Her Breasts, “Don’t You?”
If a picture is worth a thousand words, the photo of actress Vanessa Bell Calloway (“Survivor’s Remorse” and “Saints & Sinners”) released today is priceless for what it says about life after a mastectomy and Breast Cancer.
As a celebration of her own survival, and to encourage other women to love and–literally–embrace their breasts, Calloway released a very revealing image on her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages. The photo shows the eight-year cancer survivor, who made the extremely difficult decision to undergo a single mastectomy, barring it all, well almost, in hopes of inspiring other women and survivors this month.
“I am celebrating my breasts and all breasts,” says Calloway. “We need to love our breasts, celebrate their purpose and beauty but most importantly take good care of them.”
Calloway is the example of life after a diagnosis and recovery. While still healing from surgery to remove and replace her cancerous breast, she auditioned for and landed a coveted role on the TNT series “HawthoRNe.” Calloway saw the role as a “gift from God” as it did not require her to wear tight clothes and heals. She wore flats and surgical scrubs while in character for the role and says “HathoRNe” was “the perfect job” for her recovery.
“I want to bring a focus to women survivors,” says the “Coming To America” star who recommends developing a routine of that consists self-examinations, regular checkups at the doctors and annual mammograms. Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer.
