Whether you are a BRCA Mutant or not – regularly check your tattas, titties, pecs and breasts. If you are a BRCA+ and find a lump, or notice something unusual, you can be fast-tracked by your GP (sadly lots of BRCA-related breast cancers are metastatic and spread quickly). Early detection saves lives.

Head over to the CoppaFeel! website for a helping hand on breast health and boob checking. 

BRCA Mutants can have regular breast screenings (MRIs and Mammograms) from a younger age. These screenings aim to detect cancer early, giving better chance of treatment and survival. They do not prevent breast cancer.  

Chemo Prevention – it’s a thang – speak to your doctor about it. It is not a suitable option for everyone, but it is still an option.

A bilateral or double mastectomy (DMX) is the removal of both breasts. A single mastectomy is… well you guessed it, just one breast.

Some people need to have a mastectomy because they have breast cancer, some people “choose” to have a preventative operation called a prophylactic mastectomy. This usually occurs when they have high chances of developing breast cancer. “Choose” is a loose word, most individuals don’t want to make the choice.

Your breasts: tissue, fat, milk ducts and sometimes your nipples and lymph nodes.

Sometimes your skin. Skin sparing mastectomies are very common with preventative mastectomies. This isn’t always possible if cancer or treatment has damaged your skin.

Sometimes your nips. Nipple sparing mastectomies are becoming more common as techniques develop. Some people decide to remove their nipples due to a remaining risk of cancer, and potential asymmetry (wonkiness).

Individuals who keep their nipples often do so for aesthetic reasons (this can make recovery psychologically easier).

Check out the vlog on nips below.

Sensation?

Historically, mastectomies would result in a lack of sensation in the chest. Sensation sparing mastectomies are currently being researched and piloted in parts of the world. Watch this space.

 There are so many different options for reconstruction. Speak to your doc. Below are the most common options.

No Reconstruction

You may choose to have no reconstruction and remain flat. That is fine. Follow these Insta babes @TheBooblessWonder and @TheFlattieCloset to see how they OWN remaining flat. Check out my YouTube interview with The Boobless Wonder about her decision to remain flat.

Implants

You can have implants (saline or silicone) placed under the muscle (UTM), over the muscle (OTM) or a little bit of both. There are pros and cons of both methods.

When implants are placed UTM, expanders are sometimes used to make space. Over months the expanders are slowly pumped up. Once ready, you will have an exchange surgery, which replaces the expanders with implants. Check out my chats with @NipplesOptional to learn more from a previvor perspective.

If implants are OTM, they can often go straight in!

Implants are supposed to be replaced approximately once every 10 years.

Skin/Tissue

Surgeons can use skin and tissue from other parts of your body to create “breasts”. They can take this from your tummy (DIEP), thighs (TUG), bum (GAP), abdomen (TRAM) and your back (Latissimus Dorsi).

This is two operations rolled into one, therefore means a longer operation and recovery, but a more “natural” result.

So… sometimes people might say to you “I am having a skin and nipple sparing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction”
You’ll ask: “You’re getting a free boob job?” they will either smile sweetly and die a little inside or tell you to Fork Off.

When your brain is full of all sorts, it can be really hard to think straight and organise yourself. Worry not. We have created a packing tick list for you to help prepare.

You can also download and print this handy tick list here: Hospital Packing

Clothes

• Post-mastectomy bra
• PJ’s (button up ones, nighty for DIEP – button up nighty is the WIN).
• Slipper socks
• Flip flops
• Dressing gown
• Loose T-shirt
• Button up shirt
• (HINT, you can go home in PJ’s)
• Underwear

Hydration & Hunger

• SNACKS
• Throat sweets
• Water bottle (with straw)
• Straw (for the drinks they provide)

Entertainment

• Headphones
• Phone
• Charger (super long lead)
• Headphone splitter (watch things with a pal)
• Book(s)/Audiobook(s)

Peace & Comfort

• Earplugs (Hospitals can be noisy places)
• Eye-mask
• Mastectomy pillow
• Drain bags

Keeping Fresh

• Lip balm
• Face/body wipes
• Hairbrush/ties
• Toothbrush/paste
• Dry hair shampoo
• Deodorant

A mastectomy is not a boob job. A boob job, or a boob augmentation is when someone has implants placed within their chest to make their boobs larger. There are still risks associated with this operation, but it’s generally an operation in regards to aesthetics and not to physical health.

My surgeon once said to me, “I am not doing this to make you look good, I am doing it to give you a longer life. This is not about beauty, you are likely to be disappointed with how you look afterwards. Don’t look at celebrities who have had boob jobs and think that’s what you’re getting.”

But hey, it’s not all that bad and I AM happy with how I look now (it’s still not a free boob job though!)

Everyone’s mastectomy recovery is different, depending on the type of operation they have, and levels of health prior to surgery. Some people have complications after surgery, some don’t. Below is a link to our co-founder, Christen’s recovery adventures.

You can also read our BRCA Buddy (Katie’s) Hints and Tips for recovery here.

 The big topic, which not enough of us are talking about. Here at BRCA+ Chat, we are REALLY keen to chat about it. So we asked our BRCA+ Buddies (BBs) for their input.

100% of our survey said sex was different post-op. This is expected, as your body has changed. However, this does not mean better or worse – it means ‘different’ and it’s a difference we can all adjust to.

It is normal to feel nervous (75% of our BB’s were), we think this advice from our Anon BB is key: “Do it, try it, don’t over think it.”

How to love (accept) your bod:

• Look in the mirror
• Touch yourself (and scars)
• Take pictures
• Wear sexy lingerie (or something you’re comfortable in)
• Embrace yourself

How soon?

• Once healed (it is a form of exercise)
• When you’re ready
• Remember anxiety manifest though, so the longer you leave it, the bigger it will feel

“Do whatever feels good for you and don’t rush in to anything for someone else. Be kind to yourself start slow or dive right in” – Anon BB!

Relationship Buds:

• Talk about it (partners maybe afraid)
• Explore new things together
• Know your limits (be honest)
• Remember sex in relationships changes overtime (even without a mastectomy)

Single Buds:

• Some new lovers won’t notice (espesh in clothes)
• Own it and be proud
• Decide if you want to talk about it

Remember: Confidence is sexy, and confidence comes from our brains, not our bods.

“Don’t set high expectations on yourself, also remember things change over time. For me I needed time to accept my new boobs as part of me” Anon BB