April 2007 Archives

I received this email this morning. I really like the idea of "Inner Cleavage" – it is close to representing everything Breaststories is about.

JANE magazine discovered in a recent survey of their readers that a shocking 75% of women say they are unhappy with their breasts. With that in mind, the May issue of JANE features “The JANE Guide to Breast Health” - a comprehensive feature promoting physical and emotional breast health. The guide focuses on positive self-image beginning with a personal essay by Editor Annemarie Conte discussing how she grew to love her asymmetrical breasts. Following the essay is a full-page of photos of real (100% natural) breasts in a variety of shapes and sizes to show readers the large range that is “normal.” The photos combat the media bombardment of false images of “perfection” that just leave women feeling bad about themselves. Each of the photographs is accompanied by the real woman’s reason for loving her breasts. The page also calls out to Jane readers to submit photos of their own breasts and their reasons for loving them to be posted on Jane’s website, janemag.com.

Geralynn Lucas, author of "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy" will be blogging for Jane’s website, janemag.com, for the month of May. Her first posting on “Inner Cleavage” is up today. “Inner cleavage,” according to Lucas, “is a state of mind. It is a belief that you are sexy regardless of your cup size. It means loving the boobs you own. It doesn't require a plastic surgeon, implants, padding or push up bras. It means that I am not only my bra size.”

The link to the online version of “The JANE Guide to Breast Health” - http://www.janemag.com/magazine/articles/2007/04/BreastGuideMain

The May issue hits newsstands nationwide on April 24th.

I think I've mentioned this show before. I would love to be able to get a DVD of the program. Nevertheless I was reading some of the viewer comments today and come across the following:

I am 27 and since my breasts are so tiny I don't even fit into an A cup I really sympathised with the girls on last night's show and I understand all of the feelings raised. I could write an essay of my own experiences and struggles but the most important point I'd like to raise is this. I realised some time ago that I am about more than my flat chest. Though I lack breast tissue, I still believe that I am all female. I prefer wearing clothes without any bra and therefore without hiding behind padding. This is me and loving myself is what I spend my time on now, not fretting about wanting to be at least an A cup. We are all different but we are all beautiful for we are all unique - I have faith in that and I keep smiling. Jess from Oxford

When I read the part "I still believe that I am all female" I wanted to yell out YES!!!! Throughout my life I have fallen in love with several women with very small breasts and I have thought they were beautiful and sexy because of it. I have noticed a much larger number of women with very small breasts and thought they were beautiful and sexy because of it. And I mean "because of" not "despite".

I recall an incident many years ago when I was at a beach where women often went topfree. It was a very hot day. A woman was wading in the water topfree - although women often went topfree at this beach, it was almost always only while they were lying on their towels. This particular woman had virtually no breasts at all. The only differences between her chest and mine were that it was very smooth and her nipples were larger. But she was walking elegantly with her shoulders back. I thought it was one of the sexiest sights I had ever seen. I thought she just looked beautiful.

I want to say to small breasted women everywhere (as far as it is up to me to say to anyone else how they should feel about themselves) that I think you should be proud of your breasts and that you are all woman.

I congratulate the BBC for running this program.