A breast cancer survivor has shared a picture of her mastectomy scars in a bid to promote body positivity among women after two male friends said she looked great in her 'heyday'.
Laura Owens, 38, shared the inspirational post to encourage women to not be so 'self-critical' following a comment from the pals who said: "You should have seen Laura in her heyday, 10 years ago..."
The yoga teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 when she was just 31 - she had her right breast removed and reconstruction surgery followed before having her other breast removed and reconstructed.
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Then, according to the Liverpool Echo, she started to have a 'severe' reaction to her implant after her second reconstruction, her skin turned yellow and she had pain down her left arm.
Laura, from Formby, Merseyside, decided to have both of her implants removed in April 2018.
Last week Laura was speaking to two old friends who explained that a decade ago she was in her 'heyday'. Although these comments weren't malicious she did take to social media to try and prevent people from being ignorant.
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She posted on Facebook: "Rude. Or am I supposed to be grateful that guys used to think I was hot?! If I hadn't been through everything I have, and was still the girl I was 10 years ago, it might crush me to hear that. But it doesn't.
"I'm proud that, at 38, I haven't succumbed to the pressures of Botox & fillers, even though the effects of #BII [breast implant illness] rapidly aged my skin, and this is not me having a dig if you've had Botox, I understand what it's like to be so self-critical you won't even leave the house, it's just that after having my breasts amputated twice through illness, I've learned to appreciate my body exactly the way it is.
"It makes me laugh that some people think my heyday was when I wore a face full of make up, perfect hair, sexy outfits, padded bras. i.e. dressing for someone else's approval.
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"Fuck that. I'm strong and capable, I stand up for what I believe in. I walk away from people or situations that make me uncomfortable. And I wear what makes me feel happy, not sexy.
"A lot of my 20's were spent working in the world of high-end nightclubs where image, money & status were everything, and I'm proud that I'm no longer part of that bullshit. I'm proud that I care more about what I think than what anyone else thinks.
"I'm scarred, wrinkled & flat-chested, but I'm also feminine & full of life. I'm a strong fucking woman, not a sex object. I'm not here for your benefit.
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"There's a lot more to me than my looks. And if you can't see that, then it's your loss. THIS is MY heyday."
The post has since received nearly 2,000 comments from people applauding Laura for her bravery.
One said: "You're beautiful and your attitude about life and how you're perceived is amazing."
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Another added: "Beauty within, shows beauty on the outside... and you are glowing."
What a truly inspirational woman.
Featured Image Credit: Laura OwensTopics: Inspirational, Facebook, Community, Cancer