About Us
We bring aesthetic flat closure (AFC) to breast cancer events.
We support patient advocacy and engage with media and the cancer community.
We transform perceptions about going flat after mastectomy.
Founding Story
In 2020, Aesthetic Flat Closure (AFC) was defined by the National Cancer Institute to replace the term “no reconstruction” after mastectomy. This gave patients and surgeons surgical language and helped eliminate bias against women that choose AFC (e.g. flat denial), or find it medically necessary to remove implants or forgo breast reconstruction.
The following year, patient advocates were denied the opportunity to present AFC information at a public breast cancer event. This prompted over 200 survivors to walk in breast cancer events worldwide, often shirtless, to normalize having less than two breasts.
The following year 1500 people walked to support AFC as a healthy option. Thousands more witnessed groundbreaking activism when survivors walked shirtless to demonstrate that it’s okay to have one or no breasts.
Flat Visibility stands in contrast to the photos of headless torsos that women are often presented at mastectomy consultations.
FAQs
Q: Why do women choose AFC post-mastectomy?
A: AFC offers lowest rates of complications, no long term health risks, fastest recovery, no maintenance of a foreign object (implant), and makes wearing a breast prostheses more comfortable. Many women are not eligible for breast reconstruction or find it medically necessary to remove implants or failed tissue reconstruction.
Q: Why a breast cancer awareness event?
A: Breast cancer awareness month (BCAM) events in October and throughout the year bring thousands of people together. These ‘pink walks’ are opportunities to present AFC as a valid post-mastectomy option and destigmatize the loss of breasts.
Q: Does everyone take their shirt off?
A: No. Breastless and one-breasted team members are visible in whatever way that feels right for them: shirts on or shirts off.
Q: Do I need to have aesthetic flat closure to be an advocate for AFC?
A: No! We welcome friends, family, medical providers, supporters and our pink sisters with any breast reconstruction or lumpectomy.
Q: Are there cancer events that is not during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM)?
A: Yes. Even though most BCAM events occur during October, you can find events throughout the year Events near you.
Q: How will Stand Tall AFC support teams?
A: STAFC does not manage teams or hosts events. We are a resource hub with links to regional flat groups and cancer events. We empower local leaders via monthly newsletters and Zoom meetings and share lived experience as walks.
Q: Can I buy Stand Tall t-shirts and posters?
A: Soon! Stay tuned for our merchandise shop.
Q: How can I find a BCAM event near me?
A: Check the Breast Cancer Events page or google “breast cancer events near me”.
CORE VALUES
- VISIBILITY — seeing women without breast(s) at cancer events destigmatizes the effects of mastectomy.
- DIGNITY — being whole is not dependent on breasts, hair or any body part lost to cancer or its prevention.
- EMPOWERMENT — inclusion at cancer events is healing for those with AFC as well as others impacted by breast cancer.
- INFORMED CHOICE — patients should be presented post-mastectomy options with parity which includes using aesthetic flat closure (AFC) to replace “no reconstruction”.
- INCLUSION — STAFC teams support patient rights to all post-mastectomy options including AFC, implants and tissue reconstruction.