Breast cancer survivors have lashed out at Facebook for its decision to censor a series of hard-hitting campaign ads featuring topless women with scars and mastectomies.

The social media giant backflipped on its original decision to allow this year’s so-called Pink Bun Campaign advertising space on Facebook, saying the images violate its partial nudity policy.

The so-called “disablying” of the advertising campaign comes as the social media giant came under pressure in recent weeks over its live-streaming of content including 17 minutes of the Christchurch mosques massacre on March 15 in which 51 people died and dozens injured.

“We certainly understand that the ads are promoting awareness for breast cancer, however the images associated with the ad are in violation of our policies for partial nudity,” Facebook said in an email to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

“We will uphold the (ban) here until the ads can be modified for compliance.”

However, the advertising images remained on the main sponsor Baker’s Delight’s Facebook page as of 10.30am on Friday.

Ten cancer survivors, including nine women and one man, are shown  holding buns and rolls over their breasts to raise aware awareness and some much-needed funds for BCNA.

“BCNA believes it is impossible to show the full reality of breast cancer’s impact if a survivor is forced to cover up,” it said in a statement on Friday.

“This nonsensical decision threatens to significantly reduce the campaign’s effectiveness to raise awareness and much needed funds for BCNA.”

Survivor Kate Murray, who features in the campaign, was left dumbfounded by the ban, believing the images were “tasteful.
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“It’s insulting that they’d ban them when they live stream mass murder and anti-Muslim rhetoric and homophobic diatribes,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.

“It’s insane that they’d ban something so beautiful and thoughtful and supportive as this campaign,” Ms Murray said.

Baker’s Delight has produced the small pink buns en masse in “smaller, fun-sized buns” and will be sold across Australia.

From May 2 to 15, 100 per cent of the sale of Pink Fun Buns will be donated to BCNA and from May 15 to 29, $1 from every six-pack of rolls purchased will be donated.

“With the support of Bakers Delight, BCNA has been able to provide support to Australians affected by breast cancer for 19 years. BCNA is very lucky to have Bakers Delight as our breast friends and we couldn’t do what we do without their long-term support!” BCNA chief executive officer Kirsten Pilatti said.

BCNA is urging Facebook to reconsider its decision.

-with AAP