While breast cancer mainly targets women, entire families--women and men--are affected by the disease. Sometimes the pain and emotion of the person who supports and loves a person with breast cancer can be difficult to describe. That's where photographer Angelo Merendino comes in, with his project "The Battle We Didn't Choose, My Wife's Fight With Breast Cancer."

Merendino vividly photographed his wife's second battle with breast cancer as the disease metastasized to her liver, hip and, sacrum in all its raw human detail. He wanted to shed light on the fact that life does not always go "back to normal" for people who suffer breast cancer and that living with chronic pain, fear, and sadness is a part of many people's stories.

Black and white photographs of his wife in the hospital with IV drips, sleeping, smiling with friends and losing her hair are arresting visual images of the reality of breast cancer. For his ability to transfer his pain into a voice for everyone affected by this disease, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Angelo Merendino is Character Approved. Check out more of his work in the slide show below.

[Images: Angelo Merendino]