The SCAR Project (Breast Cancer Is Not a Pink Ribbon, Volume 1) [Hardcover]

David Jay (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2011

The SCAR Project: Breast cancer Is Not a Pink ribbon. Volume I is 126 pages and contains 50 portraits of young breast cancer survivors, as well as an autobiographical sketch by each woman, describing her experience with breast cancer. The SCAR Project is an exhibition of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: to raise public awareness of early-onset breast cancer, to raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and to help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately, empowering lens. Wall Street Journal: "Ambling along a New York street, a poster grabbed me by the throat. A young woman with a mastectomy scar and pregnant. "Breast Cancer is Not a Pink Ribbon," it said. And, of course, they are right." Psychology Today: "An incredibly moving and thought provoking work." British Medical Journal: "It haunted me . . . a photographic exhibition, The SCAR Project: Surviving Cancer, Absolute Reality. They got me. And it will get you too." AOL: "Powerful Images of Young Survivors."? Le Post France: "Through his photographs, David Jay shows (finally!) the true reality of cancer."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 126 pages
• Publisher: The SCAR Project (2011)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004YUKKC0
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing August 4, 2011

By Kim

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a 39 year old breast cancer patient, I originally bought the book so I could understand what I may look like after surgery. I wanted to know what I could expect. This ended up changing my view of cancer, entirely changing my view of femininity and strength, and ultimately changing my life. These women are beautiful in their own authenticity and David Jay artfully and POWERFULLY reveals their amazing energy and spirit. I am a little less afraid and a little more proud of my journey, because of this project. Thank you David and thank you to the women who did bare it all.
Please consider purchasing this book for yourself or anyone who may need a bit more understanding.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring August 2, 2011

By Tracy Parkin

Format:Hardcover

As a 36 year old going through breast cancer right now, this book not only showed me I am not alone in this, but that I should be proud of my scares. Thank you David Jay for creating a beautiful book that inspires. I recommend this book to everyone, especially any young women or their family going through this.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Part Art, Part Biography, Part Therapy September 7, 2011

By GNWtransplant

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

For me, this book is part art, part biography and part therapy. I heard about The SCAR Project from a friend's Facebook post. She had just watched the documentary "Baring It All" on the Style Network. As I do with most things, I went to the Internet to see what the buzz was about. You see, I had all this extra time on my hands because I was on a month's leave from work recovering from a bilateral mastectomy.

I'm not part of the demographic of The SCAR Project; I was 45 when I was diagnosed. This book was so incredibly powerful for me though. I subscribe to that "pink ribbon" thing and always will because it does raise awareness of the disease. The SCAR Project goes one step further though and shows the physical and emotional reality that is breast cancer.

When I was faced with having a mastectomy, I saw the clinical pictures of what it looks like, pre- and post-reconstruction. The clinical pictures looked horrific. At 45 and fit, "that" was going to be the new me? I was devastated, completely devastated. I wasn't prepared for the physical and emotional toll it would take on my body. Despite two generations of women on my Mom's side being diagnosed before me, I still didn't comprehend the reality.

After visiting the website, I was able to find out when the documentary would air again so I could watch it. I also ordered the book. I say it is part art because each photo so tastefully portrays a complete woman, physical scars and all. It is part biography because each woman shares her own heroic story of her struggle with and triumph over breast cancer. It is part therapy because for me I came to embrace the beauty behind my scars and it taught me to love the new me, physical "imperfections" and all. The actual reality is that these scars are part of what defines my fighting spirit; they give me strength and pause to be grateful for all my blessings in life.

The SCAR project is my coffee table book. There has not been a single person, man or woman, who has picked it up and hasn't been moved by it. Thank you David Jay and to each woman who bared it all to enlighten us as to SCAR.