Breast cancer support spaces often involve jokes about Barbie. Women who have undergone a double mastectomy and breast implant reconstruction sometimes refer to their new breasts as achieving “Barbie status.” These women joke about their nipple-less, higher, and perkier breasts resembling Barbie’s chest. While some survivors embrace their “foobs” (fake boobs) as a step towards being cancer-free, it’s important to note that they didn’t choose this path. It’s a surgery forced upon them due to a disease they never wished to have.
However, what many people fail to realize is that a larger group of breast cancer survivors owe a debt of gratitude to Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, for helping them reconnect with their pre-cancer bodies. I am among those women who have benefited 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. Like Handler, I underwent a single mastectomy as part of my treatment.
Since my mastectomy, I have struggled with body image every day. Initially, I couldn’t undergo immediate breast reconstruction due to radiation treatments and hospital restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I now have the option to reconstruct my chest, I have chosen to postpone that decision for now. I want to distance myself from cancer and am currently using a prosthetic breast to create balance while trying not to overthink it.
Despite my personal struggles, I recognize the impact of Handler’s work during this challenging period. To understand the significance, we must delve into Barbie’s origin. Handler’s life revolved around breasts, and she famously said, “I’ve lived my life from breast to breast.” In 1959, she introduced Barbie, a doll that defied convention with her mature figure and limitless possibilities for clothing and careers. Handler aimed to empower girls by allowing them to project their future dreams onto the doll. However, Barbie faced criticism for her physical attributes, including her blonde hair, thinness, and whiteness. Nevertheless, Handler would go on to revolutionize prosthetic breasts for individuals who had lost theirs due to cancer.
In 1970, Handler received her breast cancer diagnosis while serving as CEO of Mattel. While feminists condemned Barbie for her unrealistic proportions, Handler secretly battled breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Although Handler faced financial troubles and left Mattel in 1975, she didn’t give up on her mission. She wanted to address the lack of non-surgical alternatives for breast reconstruction. At the time, women who had mastectomies would attempt to recreate the look of breasts using socks, tissue, or fabric prosthetics, which often failed to provide a natural appearance. These prosthetics were used interchangeably for both sides, making symmetry difficult to achieve.
Handler, determined to empower women once again, set out to create a realistic and comfortable breast prosthesis. She developed the world’s first liquid silicone breast form that could be worn in a bra. She also ensured that women could choose between a customized right or left breast. Her innovative approach led to the success of her business, with sales exceeding $1 million within five years. Handler traveled the country, connecting with other cancer survivors, and spreading awareness about the psychosocial benefits of breast prosthetics.
Handler’s bold tactics sometimes raised eyebrows. She would open her blouse in front of convention audiences and invite journalists to touch her breasts to distinguish between the real and artificial ones. Despite the controversy, Handler made a significant impact on the development and acceptance of breast prosthetics.
As someone who has been personally affected by breast cancer, I can attest to the emotional healing brought by Barbie. Growing up in the 80s, I was exposed to the criticism of Barbie as a bad role model, and I internalized some of those beliefs. When my two-year-old daughter showed interest in Barbie shortly after my diagnosis, I felt conflicted. However, I’ve come to understand the empowering aspects of Barbie and appreciate how she can inspire girls to dream big and choose their own paths.
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