'Modelling after cancer rebooted my mental health'

A tattooed model and mum who had breast cancer and a double mastectomy says she hopes to help others in the same position regain their confidence through photography.

Mother-of-three Amy Carroll, 33, from Northamptonshire, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.

After treatment, she went back to modelling and now runs photoshoots for others living with cancer.

Chelsea Leigh, originally from Cardiff, has taken part and says it has helped her "escape the every day reality of health issues".

Ms Carroll had only started modelling in 2019 and said having cancer treatment "knocked" her confidence.

She said it was "hard" to carry on, but she decided to "own it".

Speaking to BBC Look East, she said: "I thought to myself 'this is who I am; this is my body'.

"It's rewarding in the sense that I can make somebody feel better and help them accept themselves for who they are."

Ms Leigh, 42, met Amy after being treated for blood and colon cancer.

She said the photoshoots, which are organised by Ms Carroll, were "a chance to escape the reality of everyday health issues".

"To be in that bubble for a few hours... reboots my mental health. I feel recharged again. Exhausted, but mentally stronger," she added.

As well as modelling, Amy is due to appear in a new drama series called The Real Irish.

She runs regular photoshoots around the country, some helping to raise money for cancer charities.

The pictures are mainly for people's personal use, but could be used for professional use if the subjects want to pursue that.

Ms Carroll, who also uses the name Darcie Diamond on Facebook, says her aim is to help as many people as she can.

"It doesn't matter how you look - the most important thing is to own who you are and keep doing what you want to do," she said. "Life's too short."

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