Mastectomy Gallery

There are lots of reasons why someone might need a mastectomy. For some women with BRCA+ this is a preventative decision due to the high risk of developing breast cancer. For others, their mastectomy is a form of breast cancer treatment.

And to make things even more complicated, there are tons of different types of surgeries you can get! The type of surgery you may opt for will depend on a variety of factors; eligibility, waiting times, resources, and also what is best for your body. For example, breast implants can come in different shapes, sizes, materials and can even be placed differently, depending on what your surgeon suggests. Another surgical option is known as a ‘flap’ operation; where tissue from a different part of your body is used to reconstruct the breast. Other women opt to go for no reconstruction, known as ‘flat closure’. There is also the topic of nipples! To keep or not to keep?

Well, we have gathered LOTS of photos over the last few years, all sent in with permission from our amazing BRCA Babes! This gallery was designed to help ease some anxieties around mastectomies. We don’t often see what real scars, skin and tissue look like, and for such a huge change to your body, both emotionally and physically, visualising the process may lessen some of that fear. Some women have chosen to remain anonymous, and others have provided their Instagram profiles if you would like to ask them any questions!

If you are faced with the decision of a preventative mastectomy, or screening, know that there is no right or wrong decision. Your doctors and peers can all support you and ultimately, you know what’s best for your body. We would like to remind you that, while we can offer support and resources, we are not trained medical professionals, and therefore cannot provide any medical advice for mastectomies or any other issue.

If you would like to send in your own submission to our mastectomy gallery, or have any question, contact us here!