Breast cancer survivor runs NYC Marathon topless to raise awareness

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 16:07 · Archive

A breast cancer survivor ran the New York Marathon topless to raise awareness and display her scars from treatment.

Lauren Spiezia, a mother from New Jersey, completed the New York Marathon topless on Sunday to raise awareness for breast cancer. The Daily Mail Sport reports she finished with a time of four hours and 54 minutes, whilst the New York Post describes her as 33 years old (the Daily Mail says 32). She used anti-chafing tape as support instead of a shirt.

Spiezia was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, despite being dismissed by two doctors for being too young. She underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, between six and eight rounds of immunotherapy, mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. The New York Post also reports she had her fallopian tubes removed due to a cancer gene mutation (BRCA2). She set herself the goal of running the marathon as part of her recovery.

Spiezia explained on Instagram that her scars were 'evidence that I fought and lived'. She told news.com.au: 'There was a moment after my mastectomy where I felt insecure about my scars on my chest, and I really hated that I allowed it to make me feel badly about myself when in fact they were just a sign of strength.' She added the marathon was 'a movement about body positivity, advocacy, and empowering women'. The New York Post reports that her running team raised $50,000 for breast cancer research and that the lack of support was not painful because her mastectomy had severed the nerves in her chest.

Breast cancer survivor runs NYC Marathon topless to raise awareness — Image: New York Post

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Female cancer survivor sends strong message after running topless during NYC marathonNew Jersey-based mother Lauren Spiezia, 33, completed the grueling race topless to raise awareness for breast cancer after surviving her own battle with the disease.New York Post · 4 Nov, 15:50
New York City marathon runner turns heads after completing the race topless in powerful statement after surviving breast cancerLauren Spiezia completed the grueling 26.2-mile course through the five boroughs on Sunday, crossing the finish line with an official time of four hours and 54 minutes.Daily Mail Sport · 2 Nov, 17:10

In this story: Lauren Spiezia · New Jersey · New York

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log