Willing to bare chest for Breast Cancer

‘‘You’re too young for breast cancer, it’s probably nothing to worry about,’’ a doctor told Anete Smith 15 years ago.

That lump was something to worry about and had the Brown’s Bay resident accepted that doctor’s advice she might not be alive today.

Instead, she sought a second opinion and got the news no woman wants to hear - she had breast cancer.

Nearly two decades later and following a double masectomy, the 51-year-old is confident her cancer battle is over.

This month Smith is one of three survivors putting their chests on display for the Breast Cancer Foundation’s awareness campaign.

Photographed as masterpiece paintings that feature models with visual signs of breast cancer, the message of the campaign is to remind women to know their breasts.

For Smith, getting her kit off for a recreation of Rubens’ Samson and Delilah was a nobrainer.

Years of topless sunbathing on European beaches meant she’s not fazed with showing off a little nipple - even if they’re not her real ones anymore.

‘‘They’re just bosoms, for goodness sake.’’

Smith now manages a Hospice North Shore store, enjoys a healthy diet, and is part of a breast cancer survivors’ dragon boating team.

It’s her reminder that there are plenty of women who fought the disease and won.

Of the nine women who get diagnosed with breast cancer today, one of those will be a lady younger than 45.

That’s 365 young women a year, according to New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

It’s likely these young women are detecting cancer through symptoms like lumps or pain, foundation chief executive Evangelia Henderson said.

Nine times out of 10, a lump is nothing to worry about, she said.

‘‘Doctors always have women’s best interests at heart when they say ‘don’t worry about it’.

‘‘It’s up to us as individuals to take responsibility for monitoring our breasts and taking action.’’

Screened mammograms are available free for women aged 45 to 69. They are not recommended for women under 40.

The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is on October 13 and 14.

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ABIGAIL DOUGHERTY / STUFF ‘‘I was really lucky that I’d found it so early. I encourage everyone I know to get checked, don’t wait’’ - Anete Smith.