Pompea and the value of the “after”: giving voice to rebirth after breast cancer
Rebirth after breast cancer, prevention and support for research: the “after” as a theme of collective awareness
Talking about breast cancer often means focusing on diagnosis and treatment. Yet there is an equally crucial phase that deserves attention and respect: the “after.” It is the time when one returns to everyday life, rebuilds trust in their own body, and puts back together identity, relationships, and plans. It is on this human and social dimension that Pompea chooses to shine a spotlight through the “Shoot The Cancer” project, created together with Mutua Cesare Pozzo ETS and its Women’s Coordination: an awareness campaign that gives voice to the “after” through the portraits of 23 women featured in the photos, combining listening, storytelling, and concrete support for scientific research, with the goal of turning a personal story into collective impact.
The “after” of a breast cancer diagnosis: real needs, frequently asked questions, new priorities
The “after” does not correspond to the same milestone for everyone: it is a journey, often non-linear, where strength and vulnerability coexist. For many women, this phase includes physical aspects (scars, body changes, reconstruction), emotional aspects (fear of recurrence, anxiety about check-ups, difficulty recognizing themselves), and social aspects (work, family, intimacy, others’ perceptions).
Focusing on the “after” means giving space to concrete questions that many women ask themselves — and in which it is easy to see oneself, even by looking at the portraits in the campaign — but that rarely find a place in public discourse: “How will I feel in my body?”, “Can I feel like myself again?”, “What really helps me in recovery?”. Honoring these questions does not replace the medical journey but completes it: because quality of life is an integral part of health.
Communicating Breast Cancer Without Rhetoric: 23 Portraits That Tell the Story of the “After”
The portraits are the heart of the project: 23 women, each with a different journey, united by the choice to be seen in their own “after.” These are not images meant to “explain” the illness, but to give space to what comes next: recovery, transformation, the reclaiming of a self-view that, for many, is no longer the same.
Precisely because this is a sensitive topic like breast cancer, the way it is communicated makes a difference. “Heroic” or simplified narratives can leave behind those who do not identify with that model: for this reason, an approach based on listening and authenticity is essential, capable of respecting different nuances and experiences.
In this context, photography can become a powerful language: not to seek perfection, but to restore presence, identity, and dignity. Carefully and consensually created shots help make visible what often remains invisible: the reassembly of the self, the recovery of self-esteem, the right to feel good in one’s body even after a transformative experience.
From Awareness to Research: Why Supporting Science Is a Concrete Action
For a social project to be truly effective, it must combine awareness and measurable actions. Supporting research means contributing to the development of new knowledge, tools, and treatment paths, with an impact that goes beyond the moment and extends over time. For this reason, charitable initiatives like the photo exhibition and auction linked to Shoot The Cancer have real value: they can turn participation into resources destined for recognized scientific organizations, such as the Veronesi Foundation, supporting breast cancer research.
At the same time, the awareness that arises from sharing the “after” story reinforces an essential message: prevention and early diagnosis remain key factors. Speaking clearly, without alarmism or taboos, helps build a more mature health culture, where information, listening, and shared responsibility go hand in hand.
