Singer Anastacia shows her mastectomy scars for the first time in intimate photo shoot.

Singer Anastacia, who has conquered cancer not once, but twice, has chosen to show her mastectomy scars to the world.

The 48-year-old’s brave decision comes having had a double mastectomy in 2013 in an effort to fight the disease.

Anastacia spoke to Fault magazine about the reasons behind her decision to participate in such a vulnerable photo shoot.

Image source: Fault Magazine

"My scars are a part of me and I want to be the one to reveal them."

"If paparazzi photographed them, I'd feel like I was being shamed but being able to release them this way, I feel extremely empowered."

Anastacia, who recently appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, spoke of the effects the surgery has had on her life.

"When you have as many surgeries as I've had, you lose so many female sensations that you'll never get back. Nipple sensation is something that cancer robbed from my anatomy and I'm used to it now but there is that little part of me that will always be lost."

Image source: Fault Magazine

Despite this loss, Anastacia looks at the experience, scars and all, with a positive perspective.

"I resented how large they were but I also understood why I needed to go through all the physical changes."

"My scars are part of my journey and a reminder of all the things I went through with my mastectomy. At this point, I feel great to show them in a way that's artistic."

Image source: Fault Magazine

Given her battle with cancer, Anastacia urges all women to get regular breast-exams, because early detection is key.

"If you're a young woman in your mid twenties, then just get it done and you can have peace of mind until you're thirty years old. In your thirties go every two or three years depending on your doctor's advice and then after thirty-five, it's safest to go each year. Find it early and you're done and it's so much easier."

"Cancer and death needn't go hand in hand, if you catch it early you can live with it and seek treatment – it's not spotting it early enough that's scary."