Facebook launches new policy allowing mastectomy photos after breast cancer patient's 20,000-strong petition

Facebook has announced that it will not be deleting any more mastectomy photos from the site.
The social network has continually come under fire for removing post-surgery images of breast cancer survivors, but now it acknowledges how sharing these can 'help raise awareness'.
The long-awaited policy update comes after 21,362 people signed a Change.org petition simply titled: 'Facebook: Stop censoring photos of men and women who have undergone mastectomies.'

Victory: Facebook has announced that it will not be deleting any more mastectomy photos from the site

It was launched by Scorchy Barrington, 53, from New York who is currently battling Stage IV breast cancer.
She hailed the news as a 'victory' adding that 'from now on, these powerful visual testaments to the real impact of breast cancer. . . will be welcomed on Facebook, as they should be.' 

 

In her petition she pointed out how Facebook's policy regarding mastectomy photos was always 'loosely defined'.
This in turn confused users and Facebook staff tasked with responding to any 'reported' images.

Controversial: Some of these images were previously banned from Facebook for their 'explicit' content

Moving: The images by David Jay feature breast cancer survivors displaying their mastectomy scars

Inspiring: The photographs are intended to remove the stigma currently surrounding breast cancer

The revised guidelines, issued Tuesday, state that the vast majority of ]mastectomy]. . .  photos are compliant with our policies.'
However, it is noted that photos with fully exposed breasts, especially those that are unaffected by surgery, will not be permitted.
'These policies are based on the same standards which apply to television and print media, and that govern sites with a significant number of young people,' it continues.
Along with Ms Barrington, Facebook has also been in conversations with David Jay, a photographer whose SCAR Project photo series documents women after mastectomies.

He found a number of his images were deleted from his profile and he even found himself kicked off the site for a month as a consequence.

Apology: Facebook has now reinstated the images and vowed to clarify its photography policies

Defiant: Many breast cancer sufferers derive strength from the bravery of those featured in the images

He called for the site to educate its staff properly to avoid a repeat of the incident.

He told NBC News: 'I can't imagine anyone finding anything pornographic or sexualised or even offensive in any way.'
It was Mr Jay who inspired Ms Barrington to launch her petition in an attempt to persuade Facebook to clarify its policy on photographs of mastectomies.
She wrote: 'They document the physical and emotional toll of women and men who have undergone mastectomies.

Project: David Jay began the series years ago but was recently inspired by Angelina Jolie's courage

Policy: Facebook insists it is a supporter of the campaign and will work with photographers in the future

'They raise awareness of the disease and reinforce the need for early intervention and research toward a cure.'
The plea triggered hundreds of comments. One supporter wrote: 'All people should be respected, there's nothing wrong with the human body, and these people have gone through hell . . . to punish them further is an insult . . . it's not repugnant, repulsive or in any way sexually suggestive.
'These are scars of bravery.'
And another added: 'My Son age 25 is Now a 3 year Breast cancer survivor, and he's proud of the scar and he is a Fighter.'
Mr Jay told NBC that representatives from Facebook explained that 'obviously mistakes had been made' in the past.