Woman covers breast cancer scar with amazing floral tattoo and it goes viral

For many people, just the thought of an image of their breast going viral would be terrifying, but for this Australian woman, the pictures symbolise hope, happiness and the end of one of the worst periods of her life.

Alison Habbal from Sydney was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2015 after discovering a lump and dimple on her right nipple.

RELATED: 'How getting cancer gave me the wake-up call I needed'
RELATED: Elle Halliwell finds out she's expecting a baby two days after being diagnosed with cancer

While the cancer had fortunately not spread, they 37-year-old underwent a lumpectomy, received three months of grueling chemotherapy and two months of radiotherapy and is now on long-term medication Tamoxifen for the next five years.

Alison also lost her left nipple and while she was given the option of having reconstructive surgery, she had something a bit different in mind.

"A nipple reconstruction involves tattooing of the area to give it pigment, so I figured if I was going to get a tattoo it would epic, not a pink circle," Alison told Be.

"It is unlikely they would have been able to match my left nipple very well anyway, so I decided to just have some fun and just cover the scar with a tattoo instead."

The designer, who is married with a seven-year-old daughter, enlisted the help of New Zealand tattooist Makkala Rose to design the intricate tattoo.

From there, Alison endured a painful 13-hour tattoo session which finished at 1:30am the next morning, but for her, it was totally worth it .

"Scar tissue is extremely painful to tattoo, as was the rib and collar bone area - but the pain had nothing on the chemotherapy so I was fine," she said.

From there, Alison shared the process on Facebook and Instagram and the photos have been viewed and shared thousands of times.

And while Alison said she uses Instagram "like a diary", she claims she's still surprised at the reaction the pictures have received online.

"There are a few confused men that can't find the nipple that make me laugh but the posts I enjoy most come from the older conservative ladies that start their comment with "I don't usually like tattoos, but..." I've received messages of support and solidarity from all over the world, many thanking me for inspiring them which is touching," she said.

As for how she hopes detailing her journey can help others, Alison said she hopes her honesty and openness can inspire other women suffering from breast cancer to love their bodies again.

"I am fortunate that I am in the position that I am able to take a photo of my breast and have it go viral and everyone around me is supportive - not everyone has the freedom to do that," she said.

"As a woman under 40 I'd be happy if the image inspires more women to love their new bodies and own their sexuality again after surviving breast cancer - and not just by getting a tattoo, but by doing what is right for them and rocking it.

"I had long black hair a year ago, now I have a short blonde crop and everyone loves it because I have embraced my new look and wear it with confidence and a smile."

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram