In breast cancer support communities, there is often a prevalence of Barbie jokes. Women who have undergone a double mastectomy with breast implant reconstruction often joke about achieving a newfound “Barbie status” – their breasts, now nipple-less, sit higher and perkier than ever before thanks to the implants, giving them a chest similar to Barbie herself. Some survivors celebrate their newfound “foobs” (fake boobs), as it represents an important step towards being cancer-free. However, unlike elective breast removal or augmentation, these women often do not have a choice in the matter. It is a surgery that is attached to a disease that none of them ever wished to be diagnosed with.
While it is easy to understand why these dark Barbie jokes resonate with this particular group of breast cancer survivors, many do not realize that a larger group of survivors have Barbie’s creator, Ruth Handler, to thank for helping them reconnect with their pre-cancer bodies. I am one of those women benefitting from Handler’s legacy. Four and a half years ago, I received a devastating phone call revealing that I had Stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 36. A year later, I was diagnosed with a second breast cancer. One of the treatments I received was the amputation of one breast.
Since my mastectomy, there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t agonized over my body. Initially, I wasn’t offered the option for immediate breast reconstruction. My skin needed more time to heal from extensive radiation treatments, and the hospitals were only performing urgent surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I now have the option to reconstruct my chest, I am delaying that decision to create some distance between myself and cancer. For now, I rely on a prosthetic breast to achieve balance and try not to dwell on it too much.
However, I am aware that thanks to Handler’s work, this phase of my life, in this current form of my body, has been made easier. To understand how, we need to go back to the origin of Barbie herself. For Handler, breasts played a significant role in her life. In 1959, she revolutionized toy dolls with the introduction of Barbie. Unlike baby dolls, she wanted a doll that allowed girls to project their dreams and make limitless choices in terms of clothing and careers. Despite criticism about Barbie’s physical attributes, Handler went on to revolutionize prosthetic breasts for cancer survivors.
In 1970, while serving as CEO of Mattel, Handler was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and lost her left breast. Although she faced financial difficulties and left the company shortly after her diagnosis, Handler dedicated herself to empowering women by creating realistic-looking and feeling breast prosthetics. She developed the Nearly Me breast prosthesis, the world’s first liquid silicone form meant to fit into a bra. Within five years, the sales of these forms had surpassed $1 million. Handler travelled the country, selling her prosthetics, sharing her story, and connecting with other survivors.
Just as Handler developed Barbie, she opened people’s eyes to the psychosocial benefits of breast prosthetics. She emphasized the importance of breasts in society and recognized the impact the loss of a breast could have on a woman’s self-image. With her bold tactics, sometimes raising eyebrows, she helped breast cancer survivors regain their confidence and feel like themselves again.
In my own experience, Barbie has played a significant role in my emotional healing. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I had a complicated relationship with Barbie due to societal criticism. However, when my daughter showed an interest in Barbie shortly after my diagnosis, I began to research the options available. I discovered the positive impact Handler’s work had on breast cancer survivors, and it changed my perspective. Barbie became a symbol of empowerment and resilience, reminding me that I, too, could reclaim my sense of self and beauty after cancer.