Chantelle Hancock angry after Facebook removes post breast surgery picture

A young Perth mother is angry that a photo showing her scarred breasts from a double mastectomy has been banned from Facebook.

Chantelle Hancock, who had her breasts removed in 2014 to prevent cancer because of a strong family history, tried to post a “tasteful boudoir photo” of herself to a private Facebook group for women who have undergone mastectomy.

The topless picture of the 27-year-old mother of three was taken by Perth photographer Lauren Crooke and was intended to show other women who have had breast surgery that they can be proud of their bodies.

Ms Crooke had earlier posted the photo to her Instagram account without any problem, but when she tried to post it on Facebook it was blocked.

She was then barred from the social media site for 24 hours.

Ms Hancock, pictured top and above, said it was wrong that Facebook allowed graphic, distressing material about the Christchurch mass shooting to stay up for hours but ruled her photo inappropriate.

Facebook allows post-mastectomy photos and says most of these images comply with its policies. But the picture of Ms Hancock was deemed to go against its community standards on nudity or sexual activity.

Ms Hancock said she had a preventive mastectomy in 2014 because she was at high risk of breast cancer and that tests later showed she had early disease.

She had implants put in six months later but her breasts were left badly scarred.

Ms Hancock said she was very conscious about the appearance of her breasts and doing the photo shoot was a way to come to terms with her body.

“Then to have the photo blocked from Facebook is really disappointing, but to be honest the prophylactic mastectomy group I’m in has been fighting Facebook for years,” Ms Hancock said.

“Some photos they allow but others are considered too sexual, even though their own community standards say they understand it’s about raising awareness.

“After my surgery I didn’t feel like a woman any more and doing the photo shoot really helped. So it makes me so angry that Facebook says it’s unacceptable when it isn’t meant to be a sexual picture at all.”

Facebook was contacted for comment.