Come out to tonight’s New York celebration and mingle with top-notch doctors, decorate a bra, talk about your breasts, win the Smashbox Cosmetics raffle and more…
Keep hearing about breast cancer? Almost everyone is touched by it. Either you know someone who has had it, your friend knows somebody, or you’re going through it yourself.
With over 250,000 new cases of the threatening illness detected in women across the U.S each year, it’s the most common type of cancer females face and the second most life-threatening, after lung cancer.
Of course, surviving the fight is the first step. A huge cheer of ‘congratulations’ goes out to you if you succeeded in this first challenge. We’ll also give you a very large hug for being brave when you had no choice.
Rebuilding your life comes second. This may seem like the easier of the two battles, but it can take on many forms, be it picking up the economic pieces, rebuilding relationships or traveling down the road of breast reconstruction, and this last one isn’t always an easy hike.
Stereotypes
What makes it so hard? Even with insurance coverage, if you don’t live in or near a big city, finding a surgeon who can do the job- and do it well- can be a challenge. If you do finally locate one, facing society’s perceived stigma around your choice, as well as your own emotions can some take time.
As New York City-based board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen points out, some women apologize and feel “vain” for wanting breast reconstruction surgery.
But should we? No. Our feminist foremothers worked hard to ensure all women have the right to breast reconstruction under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998.
The issue, however, is complicated.
Here’s the thing. No one criticizes a patient who’s undergone head and neck cancer for wanting to have a jaw reconstruction after their jaw has been removed. Sometimes, however, it seems like a woman’s desire for normal-looking breasts is somehow a different matter. But it doesn’t need to be.
BRA Day
Here’s where Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA) comes in.
Organized as a day to educate all women of their breast reconstruction options following a mastectomy or lumpectomy, BRA is taking place Thursday, October 19, 2017.
In honor of the event, Dr. Chen, her staff and patients, the #BosomBuddies, will host a special girls’ night out in New York City, with multiple activities for breast cancer survivors.
What’s it all about? Taking place from 6:00pm-9:00 pm, a private Show and Tell room will be on hand to give women who are contemplating breast reconstruction the opportunity to meet and connect in person with those who have already undergone surgical treatment.
Healthcare practitioners including surgeons, internists, nurses, and therapists will be available for questioning in a relaxed setting, where, as Dr. Chen states, guests are “invited to mingle, learn, and celebrate a woman’s right to choose her own breast reconstruction journey”.
For those who like something a little more hands-on, there’s also the chance to decorate a bra with proceeds from the sale of your garment going towards BRA Day USA and FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered.
FORCE’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers.
So, today’s your day. Come on out and take charge. As Dr. Chen states, “A woman’s breasts and body should look and feel just as good after mastectomy as before surgery.”
To register for the event, click here. To donate to the Decorate-a-Bra campaign for Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, click here.
Happy BRA Day!
Photo credits: itakdalee/Shutterstock.com
