Breast cancer survivors artfully make a difference.

A unique collaboration of women - including a group of breast cancer survivors, their surgeon, and a portrait photographer - have joined forces to make a difference in the lives of other women faced with the terrifying diagnosis of breast cancer. The result of their collaboration, "Reconstructing Aphrodite," is a new book of photography and commentary focusing on women who have survived breast cancer and who have opted to have breast reconstruction via an innovative surgical technique - "single stage" reconstruction.

Responding to a need

Many don't realize just how many women are affected by breast cancer. Indeed, one out of every nine women is diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. For most of these women, mastectomy - a mind and body altering process - follows the frightening diagnosis. In an attempt to "return to normal" or "become whole again," some women today opt for breast reconstruction post-mastectomy - and a growing number of those women are now turning to the new "single stage" option.

San Francisco based plastic surgeon, Dr. Loren Eskenazi, who was trained as an artist prior to her career in medicine, is a vocal advocate for the patient-friendly, aesthetically realistic method referred to as single stage reconstruction. Working with several of her courageous patients and photographer Terry Lorant on the "Reconstructing Aphrodite" project, she is now able to educate and share with women around the country some of the life-affirming possibilities that are now available to survivors of breast cancer.

Each of the women photographed in "Reconstructing Aphrodite" posed nude for photographer Terry Lorant, and their striking portraits are accompanied by each survivor's story - told in the first person.

Eskenazi explained that an objective of the project was to help people understand that there are a number of alternatives to the traditional radical mastectomy. Many don't realize that typical breast reconstructions consist of multiple surgeries. Single stage reconstruction, the technique utilized by Eskenazi and a growing number of surgeons around the country, involves placing an expandable implant that can be adjusted in size for up to six months after surgery for the best possible aesthetic results. This means women may only have to endure one surgery and general anesthetic to reconstruct their breasts, instead of two or more.

"Reconstructing Aphrodite" captures the life-affirming vision that modern surgery has made possible. It is a celebration of the health and reconstruction of 20 breast cancer survivors and an artistic collaboration between a breathtakingly honest photographer, healers, patients and the loved ones who have borne witness. The book's black and white photographs by Lorant are by turns powerful and beautiful - often capturing the stark reality of emotions expressed by each of the women.

Art, education and options

"Our primary goal with this project was to help and to educate," said Lorant. "When my beloved friend Jo (one of the women who appears in the book) was diagnosed with breast cancer and faced with a double mastectomy, there was so much anguish surrounding the uncertainties and lack of information pertaining to her options. Having immediate breast reconstruction at the time of her mastectomies was a huge help for her in so many ways."

"It was Jo who lamented to me that there really was nothing to look at when trying to make the decision about mastectomies and reconstruction," said Lorant. "With my background as a portrait photographer, one thing led to another and, through working closely with Jo, her surgeon, Dr. Eskenazi, and the other women you see in the book, we believe we've accomplished something that really can provide women with a clear picture of what's possible during a very scary time."

"It's most rewarding to be able to do what I do - photography - and utilize my work to help people. The comments we've been receiving from women around the country have solidified that reward."

Lorant describes the entire process as "pure collaboration." "Especially with this sensitive subject matter," she recalled," it was very important to me that all the women participating in the project be comfortable and proud of what they were doing."

During the book's creation, Lorant set up a flexible system which involved meetings with each of the women and discussions about poses and settings.

"With every woman, there was a powerful story to be told," said Lorant. "Not only with words, but with their bodies and the expressions of triumph on their faces. Fighting cancer is a heroic endeavor, and these women have taken that heroism to the next level -- sharing the possibilities of what can be with other women who are struggling -- often unaware of their options."

The book "Reconstructing Aphrodite" is available at Amazon.com or via www.reconstructingaphrodite.com