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Cancer survivor given grief for pictures on Facebook

Beth Whaanga posted graphic pictures on Facebook to raise breast cancer awareness. 

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Beth Whaanga, mother of four and a nurse from Brisbane, Australia, wanted to encourage others to take preventative measures against breast cancer. 

She posted nude images of herself on Facebook to raise breast cancer awareness, in a campaign called "Under the Red Dress."

Whaanga was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer on her 32nd birthday. Last November, she decided to have a double mastectomy, breast reconstruction and hysterectomy. 

She collaborated with photographer Nadia Mascot, to photograph her post-surgery body in a series of portraits. 

"My scars aren't ugly. They mean I'm alive," Whaanga said. 

After posting the pictures on Facebook, Whaanga lost more than 100 friends and received numerous comments of people offended by the photographs. 

Several others complained to Facebook that the pictures were too explicit and violated their photo policy. Facebook has not removed the pictures.

"So much more positive than negative has come out of the campaign. Lose 100 friends and gain the love of many many more," Whaanga wrote on her Facebook page. 

The campaign is currently looking for cancer survivors to photograph, women who don't mind bearing scars from cancer surgery. 

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