I’ll Keep Posting Topless Videos for Breast Cancer Awareness, No Matter How Many Times TikTok Takes Them Down

The first time TikTok took down one of my viral topless videos, I was angered. After all, I did absolutely nothing wrong. My video didn’t violate any community standards. A breastless woman who doesn’t wear a shirt is anything but sexually suggestive. Beautiful, yes; strong, definitely; gains lots of attention — absolutely. That was the whole point.

Nine percent of breast cancer patients are under age 45, according to the CDC, and I’m one of them. In fact, I’ve battled breast cancer twice in my 30s. The first time was a whirlwind. I had a direct-to-implant mastectomy and no other treatment. I figured it was happily ever after from there. However, about three years after my surgery, I started getting sick and sicker.

By the time I explanted (aka had my implants removed), I had 29 symptoms of breast implant illness (BII). Around that same time, I felt a mass in my chest wall above my right implant. Unfortunately, the mass was malignant. I was facing breast cancer for the second time in four years.

I know it’s hard for some to believe, but the day my implants came out was one of the best days of my life. As soon as I woke up from surgery, I could take a big, deep breath. There was nothing in the way, nothing to weigh down my chest. I remember crying tears of joy. The post-op nurse asked me if I was ok, and I said, “I am so happy!”

@rachelgarlinghouse 2021 : got rid of my #breastimplants , fought #breastcancer , and healed from #breastimplantillness TY for the support! #whitesugarbrownsugar ♬ abcdefu – GAYLE

After my implant removal, as well as surgery to remove the mass in my chest wall, I proceeded with treatments. I had 12 weekly rounds of chemotherapy. Yes, most of my hair fell out. The other side effects were controllable with medication, rest, and hydration. After my chemo, I faced thirty-three rounds of radiation to my chest wall. I also had four heart scans, several CT scans, numerous labs, and plenty of exams. Because my breast cancer was HER2+, I also had a year of infusions of a well-proven drug called Herceptin. 

During my journey, I would joke that I looked like a swamp monster. My hair was patchy. My skin was covered in chemo acne. I looked like a cancer patient — because I was a cancer patient. Despite my appearance, including an obviously flat chest, I decided this was the best time in my life to be more active on social media, because I knew that authentic, non-filtered images can have a profound effect on viewers. I started filming videos of myself at my treatment center, getting infusions or waiting in exam rooms. I also decided that it was time to show my flat, scarred chest to the world.

@rachelgarlinghouse

♬ The Magic Bomb (Questions I Get Asked) [Extended Mix] – Hoàng Read

My topless videos and photos quickly gained attention on social media. The likes racked up, and the comments poured in. People were intrigued, horrified, and inspired. I welcomed all reactions because my entire goal was to bring awareness to early detection, breast implant illness, and young women who can get breast cancer (despite many of us thinking we’re immune).

Three of my topless videos — the ones you see in this article — went viral, and I took pride in being completely authentic about the difficulties of fighting cancer. I wasn’t going to filter and edit my images to make cancer look better or different than it was. My goal was to post videos and photos for the purpose of encouraging women to do their breast self-exams, get their mammograms, and make healthy life choices. I also wanted my audience to understand that young women can and do get breast cancer.

My posts were flagged, reported, and taken down more times than I can count. Each time, I would upload the post again and publish, while also appealing the decision to remove the post. Yes, I was topless, but my chest is not sexually suggestive or scandalous. I was absolutely posting for attention — intentionally. I want people to see my chest and take action.

It might sound strange, but I felt that when my posts were removed, I was clearly doing something right — and different. Breast cancer battles are often reduced to pink ribbons, especially in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though I appreciate every dollar and every bit of awareness raised to fight this disease, the tendency to “pinkwash” and simplify the battle many of us face is disheartening. I wanted to show what breast cancer treatment and recovery really looks like, in all its messy, complicated glory. And I’m happy to report that, eventually, TikTok agreed. All of my appeals were successful and TikTok reinstated my videos.

@rachelgarlinghouse Insulin pump✔️ hat✔️ scars✔️ #mastectomy #everybodyisaswimsuitbody #breastcancersuvivor #flatchest #whitesugarbrownsugar #type1diabetes ♬ Body – Megan Thee Stallion

There were times during my breast cancer journey that I have felt powerless. How could I help other women when I was laid up in bed, exhausted from chemotherapy? How could I possibly make a difference while I walked around my house, topless, trying to air out my chest radiation burns? From the comfort of my own home or treatment center, I was able to create images that absolutely made a statement.

I’ve received thousands of comments and messages, most of them overwhelmingly positive. Women have thanked me for my bravery and advocacy. Some have shared their own breast cancer battles and scares. Others are asking how they can support a loved one facing breast cancer. I am grateful for these vulnerable and tenacious women. I work hard to normalize mastectomy scars and flat chests in a society that greatly values and praises breasts.

Breast cancer chose me, just as it will also choose 1 out of every 8 US women, according to the American Cancer Society. Early detection absolutely saves lives. I never thought I’d be someone who took my shirt off and posted my images on the internet, but here I am. I am now two-and-a-half-years into my remission, and I will continue to post topless images of myself, knowing that it’s making a difference.

Before you go, check out these products that breast cancer patients can actually use: