Thanks to Marks & Spencer and Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, celebrities and everyday women are taking to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to accept the #showyourstrap selfie challenge.
Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the U.K with around 50,000 women being diagnosed each year. The campaign encourages women to get involved by posting a selfie showing their bra strap, nominate friends and family to do the same and donate £3 to Breast Cancer Now by texting 70003.
But - and arguably its a big one - the campaign launched alongside a lingerie collection designed by model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and has been widely criticised by survivors who feel the campaign is insensitive and over-sexualised.
Many women who have had breast cancer have had a mastectomies and therefore no longer wear bras. For these women, the campaign is hurtful and embarrassing and they've taken to social media to voice their opinions.
In response to the Marks & Spencer campaign, Charlotte Short and Diane Riley-Waite from the online support group, Younger Breast Cancer Network, started their own hashtag: #ShowYourScar. The ladies explained the hashtag saying, "We want people to understand that breast cancer isn’t pink and fluffy, it doesn’t always respond to treatment and it isn’t something that only affects women after the menopause, it’s a very real threat to younger women."
The #ShowYouScar hashtag encourages women to show the reality of breast cancer, by posting a image of their scars.
But what do you think of the #showyourstrap campaign? Insensitive or empowering? Tweet us @SofeminineUK
This article was written by Tolani Shoneye. Tweet her @tolly_t
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