“A badge of honor for beating cancer”: US influencer completes 42.195 km topless [What do you think?]

[Financial News] A US businesswoman and influencer who underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer completed the New York Marathon topless, exposing her surgical scars, and called for greater breast cancer awareness.
According to Newsweek and other foreign media outlets on the 2nd (local time), Lauren Spizia, an influencer from the State of New Jersey, took part in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, held the previous day, topless and completed the full 42.195-kilometer course. Her official time was 4 hours, 54 minutes and 4 seconds.
Spizia ran in orange leggings and a purple bolero, without a bra top, exposing her chest and the scars left by her mastectomy. She reportedly applied body tape beneath both breasts to prevent injury.
In an interview with the media, she explained that a hospital where she had received breast cancer treatment was along the marathon route, making it feel like the most fitting stage to share her message.
She added, “It was not at all for sexual reasons or with men's gaze in mind—in fact, it was the opposite,” saying, “I did it for my own health and for the health of all women.”
Spizia said that when she first changed clothes after surgery, she instinctively curled up, trying to hide her chest, and that she did not want to hide from the world because of that shame. She described her scars as “medical marks that were necessary to save my life, and a badge of honor for having beaten cancer.”
In November 2024, at age 31, Spizia was diagnosed with stage 1–2 breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery after 16 rounds of chemotherapy and eight rounds of immunotherapy.
She also posted a photo showing her scars on Instagram and urged women to get screened and seek medical care proactively, saying, “One in eight women in the United States may develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.”
New York State law allows women to be topless in public. Spizia reportedly explained her plan to her medical team before the marathon, and they supported it.
Earlier, British runner Louise Bernadette Butcher also posted on social media a photo of herself running topless after having both breasts removed, and came to be known as “The Topless Runner.” Spizia reportedly drew inspiration from her.
People online who heard her story responded with comments such as, “Your courage is amazing. I support you,” and “I should get screened regularly too.” There were also plenty of negative reactions, including, “I’m against running while exposing your body,” and “I don’t want to see this kind of thing in public.”
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter