Baring all

Horses for courses. Part of being a good friend is understanding the sensitivities of others (and likewise forgiving a bit of stepping on toes!). But surely the standard is - follow the lead of the person concerned - if he/she doesn’t raise the matter, don’t you do it! Personally, I don’t have any problem about someone referring to my having had cancer, most people know that by now, there’s always the hope that knowing someone has had cancer, is still around and looking perfectly healthy, may help someone still struggling with early bad news. I’ve never been in the habit of whipping off my clothes in front of others, but years of examinations have made me quite blase about doing it when required. I have a large scar, some may find it ugly, neither I nor my partner do and that’s as far as it needs to go really. I take some joy in my body - it’s undeniably old, a bit battered and some bits are not entirely reliable but it’s done a great deal, had a lot of fun, seen me through some scary things and continued to contribute to daily discovery and satisfaction. It’ll do
me.