‘These scars saved my life, why hide them?' inspiring cancer survivor proudly goes topless on TV after double mastectomy
WHEN Louise Butcher had a double mastectomy after her breast cancer diagnosis, she declined reconstructive surgery.
Instead, the 51-year-old went on to become the first woman to run the
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Louise Butcher, 51, was proud to go topless on This Morning
Credit: Instagram/@thismorning
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The mum-of-two had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022
Credit: Instagram/@thismorning
'There's beauty in these scars… They saved my life,' she said. 'Why would I want to hide them?'
Louise lays her scars bare to help end the stigma of having flat closure surgery after mastectomies, rather than breast reconstruction.
The mum-of-two was told she had lobular breast cancer, a type that originates in the milk-producing glands within the breast, in April 2022.
The diagnosis came just three weeks after she was given the all-clear from a private mammogram.
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She discovered a lump deep in her left breast quickly after the mammogram and raised the alarm with her GP, who sent her for an ultrasound scan.
This scan is what picked up the form of breast cancer she had, which is sometimes missed by mammograms.
Louise was told she needed a double mastectomy - and knowing she didn't want to have implants to reconstruct her boobs, she opted for flat closure surgery.
Not one to hide away or let insecurities take hold of her, she spent six months coming to terms with her new body - and then started flaunting it.
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She began running topless around her home area in Devon as a way to accept her appearance and show others that mastectomy scars are nothing to be ashamed of.
'This is what I'm about,' she shared during an inspiring interview on today's episode of This Morning.
'It's about being your authentic self and owning your scars.
'There's beauty in these scars… They saved my life!
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'Why would I want to hide them?'
Louise described her first topless London Marathon last year as 'magical' and said women were crying due to the 'empowerment' of seeing a lady embrace her scars.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
dimpling on the skin of your breasts
a rash on or around your nipple
a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
'They were cheering and there was no pity there,' she recalled. 'Because you can't pity someone running a marathon, can you?'
People have flocked to social media to praise her resilience and positivity.
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'What an amazing woman! Amazing! So empowering,' Gem Marshall wrote on Instagram.
'What a beautiful, incredible woman,' actress Catherine Tyldesley echoed.
'What an amazing lady,' Sheila Rayner added. 'She is so dignified and inspirational.'
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Louise described her first topless London Marathon last year as 'magical'
Credit: Instagram/@thismorning
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She shared her story on today's episode of This Morning with hosts Cat and Ben
Credit: Instagram/@thismorning
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