UnBreasted

31/10/2025

📢🎤This week, I spoke publicly in front of a live crowd for the first time to share my breast cancer experience. My presentation was honest, didn’t gloss over the hard parts, and gave me an opportunity to talk about the physical, psychological and emotional impacts of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. You can read an excerpt from my presentation further below.

Talking at this work event was daunting because I don’t love public speaking but I'm incredibly glad I agreed to participate. This presentation gave me a reason to put on my big girl pants, be an example for others, and remind myself why I should be proud of the sh*tshow which has led to important advocacy work and supporting others with lived experience.

I’d like to thank Louise Thompson, founder of Sunshine Coast Council's Women in Workforce Network, for inviting me to share my experience during breast cancer awareness month. Hopefully I scared the crap out of some of my Council colleagues, just enough so that they organise a mammogram or talk with the ladies in their life about the importance of breast screening. This was also an important opportunity to acknowledge my colleagues who have been there for me since my diagnosis in 2019.

Thank you also to Kelly Hart from BreastScreen Queensland for partnering with Council to place these breast screening promotional stickers on bathroom mirrors of Council-owned buildings, venues and holiday parks. This photo of me taken in my workplace bathroom is cringe, but I can't help taking pride in knowing these stickers may lead to someone’s early detection of breast cancer.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to donate to breast cancer support services, you can throw a few dollars towards my beautiful coworker Renee Currenti who next month is swimming 9km to fundraise for the National Breast Cancer Foundation https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/reneecurrenti
📜Excerpt from presentation by Joanna Atzori 29/10/2025

I’m an example of why women need to take active steps to be breast aware and have regular screenings. Early detection is critical because the sooner you discover the presence of unseen or unknown cancer, the earlier you can begin treatment and the higher your chances of survival.

If I can convince you to act upon any advice this breast cancer awareness month, the call to action is to check your breasts and get to know your normal look and feel. If you’re concerned, don’t stick your head in the sand. Book a mammogram and ultrasound, or go to your GP and have a frank conversation about your anatomical body parts that need ongoing checks and surveillance.

If you’re under the age of 50 and your GP is telling you that you’re too young for breast screening, you need to get yourself a new GP. I’m not kidding. DO NOT accept their advice just because they’re a doctor in a position of authority. If their response is “you’re too young”, it is not good enough. You need to advocate for your health and find a doctor who listens to women when they talk about their health concerns, no matter their age.

If you’re scared of the mammogram process, take a friend or relative along with you and make a date out of it. Getting your b***s squished could be more palatable when you’re not the only one having it done. You can find out more on the BreastScreen Queensland website https://www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au, or you can talk to your GP.

Every Australian woman aged 40 years and older is eligible for FREE screening through the national BreastScreen program. It takes around 30 minutes and it could save your life, like it did mine.

12/10/2025

Today the Sunshine Coast flat community came together in celebration of International FLAT Day.

We showed pride and love for our bodies in our annual topless swim at Mooloolaba Beach, Qld.

Being involved in the breast cancer community has been a huge part of my survivorship and I'm grateful to The Breast Cancer Physio for inviting me to be part of creating the Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle six years ago. Little did I know at the time this network of fellow breast cancer survivors would become so important.

Being an advocate in the flat community has pushed me well outside of my comfort zone but I've managed to convince the introverted part of me that what we're doing is more important than staying comfortable.

Thank you to the women in my breast cancer circles and flat community for supporting each other and for showing me how we can make a difference in this world.



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10/10/2025

Thankfully it doesn't happen often (being asked to donate).

I gave my breasts as tribute.

07/10/2025

On this International FLAT Day 2025, I proudly share my respect, compassion and support for all people who have experienced living in a body with either one breast (uniboober) or no breasts (aesthetic flat closure).

No matter how you choose to live your life after mastectomy, whether your choice is to present as fully flat, wear prostheses, or undergo reconstructive surgery…your decision about your body should be made using information presented in an unbiased way without assumptions, judgement or influence from others.

Flat means different things to each individual - something I’m still learning five years after transitioning from a uniboober to a flattie. I’ve met some of the most amazing people on this journey and I’m grateful for the experiences breast cancer has thrown my way.

Flat? Reconstructed? Use prosthetics? Angry? Happy? Private? Comfortable? Proud? Struggling? Still working it out? (Me too)

All of these are valid and all are welcome in my world.



Australian flatties, come and join your tribe at Flat Life Australia.

02/10/2025

Garlinge Art has eloquently summed it up. The power of Flatcation 2025 from last weekend is still buzzing in my veins. Thank you Pascale Garlinge and Robyn Smith for building this community.

28/09/2025

🥰My cup is full🎗

I've returned home after THE BEST weekend in Sydney with an amazing bunch of women who have each undergone mastectomy with flat closure (aka flat or flatties).

This was the inaugural "Flatcation" organised by Robyn Smith and Pascale Garlinge, founders of Flat Life Australia. Ahead of International Flat Day on 7 October, we spent the weekend connecting, supporting, learning, respecting, listening, laughing, inspiring and swimming topless at Bondi Beach for all the world to see our scars because 🖕

I met existing social media "friends" in person for the first time and I made new friends who I am hopeful to see again at future Flatcation getaways.

I also got to have a relaxing epidemiology session on my mastectomy scars with Maria from Endotherapeutics.

I can highly recommend Lyf
Bondi Junction for your next vacay in Sydney.

Thank you to Endotherapeutics, Lyf Bondi Junction, Colleen's Lingerie and Sleepwear, and Scarless The Clinic for supporting the Australian flat community.

If you’re an Australian woman who has undergone flat reconstruction, or you’re considering the flat life due to breast cancer diagnosis or inherited cancer genes, come and connect with your tribe at
Flat Life Australia.

24/09/2025

Did you know Australian Red Cross Lifeblood recently changed their policy, allowing cancer survivors to begin donating blood again just one year after treatment (with medical clearance)? This change happened after I waited the previous clearance timeframe of five years...but even still, I'm thrilled to be in a position where I can donate blood again.

I was chuffed to see the red stuff I donated last week is being put to use in my own backyard at SCUH via Sunshine Coast Health. To the person who needed it, you’re most welcome and I hope it did the job.

Thanks to Nadine and all other staff at Maroochydore Lifeblood Donation Centre for looking after donors when in their care.

❤️Australia needs over 1.7 million donations every year to meet demand: that's three donations every minute.
💉34% of blood donations help people with cancer and blood diseases.
🕘The donation itself takes around 10 minutes, but you should allow up to an hour for the entire appointment.
🩸 You can give blood every 12 weeks, and plasma donations every 2 weeks.

Become a bloody legend. Book your donation appointment today
https://www.donateblood.com.au/one-step-closer

09/09/2025

🛣️ The journey from E cup to uniboober to unbreasted has been most difficult for me mentally and emotionally. It has profoundly impacted and changed how I view myself as a woman, for obvious reasons but also personal rationalisations that only make sense to me.

👙I recently reflected on my six-year breast cancer journey with personal stylist Angela Barbagallo, Style Angel, who was referred to me by Tracey G-Prosthetics & Lingerie, my supplier of breast prostheses, mastectomy lingerie and swimwear. You can watch the amazing Tracey Grills talk with Angela here https://youtu.be/uMTGz98PAaM about the options available to women who have undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy.

🎗️ Below is the link for anyone interested in hearing my experience transitioning from a 16E to a hybrid flattie who wears prostheses https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17P3rCVSuc/

If you're an Australian woman who has undergone single or double mastectomy and remained unconstructed, join your tribe at Flat Life Australia.

18/08/2025

How do you take pride in your body? It took me four decades, a breast cancer diagnosis, and having both breasts removed before I truly came to appreciate and love myself.

Thanks to journalist Amy Sheehan at ABC Lifestyle for sharing this story to help future generations of women know that choosing what's right for them sometimes means going against the grain of societal norms.

The mental toll of being left with one breast after cancer surgery weighed heavily on Joanna Atzori until she stumbled across another option.

10/08/2025

💪This woman...🫶

Humility is one of her many admirable qualities, but her passion makes her stand out and shine so incredibly bright.

I'm honoured to call Robyn Smith a friend, fellow flat advocate, and co-researcher investigating Australian women's mastectomy experiences. She is co-founder of Flat Life Australia and supports any initiative to bring people together for support and informed decision making.

A while back she let me in on her plan to run this event shirtless, and I was thrilled to have advanced knowledge of this momentous occasion. I admire her efforts to push her own vulnerabilities aside for the greater good of raising awareness for the inherited cancer community.

She is strong in conviction and stands tall for her community.

What a woman!

If you want to support Robyn, visit the link below. If you know a corporate organisation looking to support or partner with an Australian charity, please connect them with Inherited Cancers Australia.

ICA supports the inherited cancer risk community by offering a range of personalised, community and professional services to help people better understand their options.



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