Stephanie Weber, breast cancer survivor and advocate, stands proudly as a voice for flat closure and preventative care. Her portrait reflects the quiet power of choice, courage, and redefining beauty on her own terms.
Redefining Strength, One Choice at a Time
Stephanie Weber of Plymouth, Wisconsin, is a mom of four, a cheer coach, and a special education teacher. At 35, she’s used to leading with energy and heart, but her breast cancer journey began with quiet surprise. It started with genetic testing, which revealed a BRCA2 mutation passed down from her father’s side of the family. “People often assume breast cancer is only a woman’s issue,” she says, “but men can carry the gene and can be diagnosed too.”
Stephanie chose a preventive mastectomy, and that’s when doctors discovered she had DCIS Stage 0 breast cancer. Her surgery became her treatment. No chemo. No radiation. But the emotional journey was complex. “I didn’t feel like I fit in with other survivors,” she shares. “I didn’t go through the same treatments, but I still had to process what it meant to be part of this community.”
Stephanie found strength in unexpected places, especially in her children. “My kids handled it with grace,” she says. “My teenage daughter is already asking questions about our BRCA2 genetic history. It’s powerful to see that kind of awareness.”
Her diagnosis shifted her perspective on beauty and identity. “I grew up focused on physical appearance,” she admits. “But I chose a flat closure, no reconstruction. That decision challenged everything I thought I knew about femininity.”
Today, Stephanie finds confidence in her authenticity. “Being comfortable inside is more important than what’s on the outside,” she says. “I’ve found more confidence since my surgery than I ever had before.”
She joined the boudoir-style portrait campaign to represent a group often overlooked, flat survivors and those who choose preventative mastectomies. “There’s a stigma around breast cancer,” she says. “I want people to see that you can still be confident, still be yourself, and still have fun.”
Her message to others is clear: “Find your people. Whether it’s family, friends, or support groups; don’t go through this alone.”
Her mantra throughout the journey? “Embrace your strength, even when it looks like vulnerability.”
Stephanie hopes her story opens eyes to the many paths within breast cancer care. “There are options—genetic testing, reconstruction, explanting. I want people to know this version of recovery exists.”