Barwell adds: “A couple were so confident and just happy to be alive. You do think ‘Yeah, they’re only boobs!’ It’s important for people to see these and know you can be confident.

“I did get quite teary after the shoot, they’re so amazing and brave to do it. They were sad stories but it wasn’t depressing – it was upbeat and I’m really glad I did it.”

What Barwell, her mum Sue, and indeed, many of her models hope, is that first and foremost, the pictures will encourage women to check their breasts regularly: “When I showed my mum the project, she was shocked at first then really proud. She said if we can just save a few extra people by getting them to check themselves... It’s so strange to me that even a few of my friends admit they don’t check. It’s so silly, it takes no time – just do it in the shower.”

And whether someone decides to have reconstructive surgery or not, Barwell also hopes that her pictures will help anyone struggling with body image during or after breast cancer treatment: “I think the main thing I want people to think when they see these is that they’re really beautiful – not to stare at their scars but to see a beautiful woman, with both the strength and the pain.”

See the rest of the photo project below.

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, raising money to support game-changing cancer research. Visit standuptocancer.org.uk for more information. Images courtesy of Ami Barwell and Cancer Research UK.

Arresting mastectomy photo series showcases the beauty of “living flat” after cancer