Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects Canadian women; according to the Canadian Cancer Society, 67 women will be diagnosed every day in 2014. It touches us all because it’s very possible that we will encounter someone in our lifetime that is fighting through breast cancer, whether it be our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, or girlfriends. However, with technology’s rapid growth and new treatment options, more women are successfully battling breast cancer, with one common treatment being a mastectomy.
A mastectomy is a medical procedure in which either a portion or the entire breast is removed. Mastectomies may be done for a variety of reasons; either as a preventative measure, or because of the size of the tumor. It’s also possible that a woman may benefit from a mastectomy when the cancer has spread to more than one area of the breast, or when other types of treatment, such as radiation, are inadvisable. The stigmas attached to life after a mastectomy have been reduced thanks to celebrity outreach and fabulous lingerie options to help women feel their absolute feminine best.
One celebrity who raised awareness about mastectomies was Angeline Jolie, who made the brave choice to undergo a preventative double mastectomy with reconstructive
Angelina Jolie; actress. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
surgery. Since Angie lost her mother in 2007 to breast cancer, she wanted to be proactive with her own health to ensure her children didn’t have to suffer the unbearable loss she experienced. Therefore, when she learned she carried the BRCA1 gene, she chose to undergo a three-month painful process to eliminate her chance of developing breast cancer. Jolie was inundated with support and inspired many women to make educated decisions about their health. Because of her, many women with a family history of breast cancer have sought medical advice and checked whether they also carried this high-risk BRCA1 gene.
Read more about Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy decision by clicking here.
After a woman has a mastectomy, she has several options for her breasts. She can undergo reconstructive surgery to get breast implants, she can get a breast prosthesis, or she can choose to do neither. Regardless of a woman’s decision, there are products available to help women get the support and comfort they need, as well as give women the confidence to be proud of their chests. Some women who have had a mastectomy may be nervous to return to wearing a bra, but there are special post-mastectomy bras available for women that minimize the outward appearance of their breasts, and can also accommodate an optional breast prosthesis or breast insert as well.
An alternative to a prosthesis (which can often be expensive and heavy) is some extra padding on the side(s) of the mastectomy. Our Add-A-Size fabric pads by Fashion Essentials are popular with A-C cup women – just slide the insert into the smaller side to help add an extra cup size, create a round and natural shape, and give you a more evened-out look below your tops (not to mention it’s very lightweight). Click here to check out other available pads in fabric and silicone. Pictured at left: Fabric Add-A-Size Fabric Bra by Fashion Essentials
Royce Lingerie has an excellent inventory of mastectomy bras, post-surgery bras, and wire-free bras. With bra sizes from AAA to K cups and features such as lace trims, wireless options, and soft fabrics, women can feel feminine and sexy while keeping the support and comfort they need in a bra.
From left: Georgia Folded Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra with Pockets by Royce Lingerie; Darcey Pinstriped Full Support Wire-Free with Lace by Royce Lingerie; Silk Magic Microfiber Camisole with Pockets (Mastectomy) by Elita Lingerie
It’s common for some women to feel uneasy or insecure after a mastectomy, or feel as though she is losing a part of her womanhood. It’s important for women to have as many options as possible to feel beautiful and empowered. Making a decision to be proactive about your health, or taking measures to rid yourself of cancer is an incredibly courageous and empowering task. It’s also important to never lose sight of the battle these women have encountered and overcome, and to realize it’s one of the many reasons she is a beautiful and strong survivor.
Have you or someone you know undergone a mastectomy? We’d love to hear your inspiring story. Please share with us in the comments below.
To learn more about breast cancer causes and prevention, visit the American Breast Cancer Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society websites.
Sources:
American Breast Cancer Foundation
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Comment