24 January 2024 , 21:36
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Now I am not for one minute comparing myself to Marie Helvin. Even in my Naughty Nolan days, David Bailey wasn’t queuing up to take my picture, let alone marry me.
Nevertheless, seeing photos of the 71-year-old fashion model, once married to the photographer, looking absolutely gorgeous in a new Valentine’s lingerie campaign following a breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy in 2022, placed us firmly in the same camp – the survivor camp.
She not only looks incredible, she is, right there, sending a powerful message to every woman who has lost their breast or breasts, or confidence in their body in any way, due to cancer treatment. She is celebrating what she has overcome and what she still remains, for all that trauma.
For me to see that, as I sit here with Shaun the Sheep hair, and nails so weak even the turquoise glitter manicure and pedicure I had this week can barely hold them together, means a lot. (We’ll let you off the ridiculous level of gorgeousness, Marie.)
When I had my own mastectomy, they didn’t do immediate reconstructions and for two months afterwards I couldn’t let Brian see. Although he was amazing, I felt embarrassed. Later, I had a laugh with my prosthesis. On tour with the girls, I lost it one night out drinking with the band.
Warning as popular food and drink ‘increase risk of cancer death by up to 30%’
I thought it was going to end up signed on eBay. (Thankfully, I’d put it in the bottom of my suitcase and I announced I’d found it to the whole tour bus.) For me, reconstruction, when I eventually had it – actually after Brian passed away, so it was for me alone – helped me feel better about myself.
I’m always moved to hear older women say they’re past having one. Everyone makes their own decision but if you want one, you’re never too old. Marie, of course, says that far more fabulously than me.
She’s a beautiful, confident woman, and cancer hasn’t claimed that. I might not choose those particular Valentine’s Day undies this year –something skimpier, I reckon. But I choose her courage and self-belief every day.