7 Women Explain Why They Decided To Get Rid Of Their Boobs

I got rid of my boobs two months ago. I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 13. At 26, I found out I carried the “faulty” BRCA1 gene, putting my chance of getting breast cancer at 87%. Not having a mother, I felt very afraid, alone, even “cursed”. These tests are becoming more common and more women are exploring their option of preventative surgery. After reaching out I discovered there were lots of other young women in the same boat. It’s quite revolutionary that gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment options are available to us. Hopefully, this means there will be less people like me that had to grow up without a mother.

 

Below are a handful of brave, strong, young women on why they decided to get rid of their boobs:

 

 

Heather Paez:

At 30 I was in complete shock after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, afterall breast cancer was only on my Dad’s side of the family and you can’t inherit breast cancer through your Dad right?  Wrong!  Breast cancer does not discriminate against Sex and the BRCA1 gene mutation was in fact passed down to me through my Dad.  It did not take a lot of thinking after that discovery to decide what I was going to do.  Knowing I have had 2 women in my family die from breast cancer and 3 who barely survived it, I decided to go through with the surgery  to get rid of my breasts so I could eliminate  the risk of getting cancer and being added to that list.  I have 3 kids that need me here and that was way more important to me than my vanity.

 

 

Ally Durlester:

I had a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy to try and end breast cancer in my family. It was extremely important for me to take my health into my own hands. It has given me peace of mind.

 

 

Nicki Boscia Durlester:

I parted with my breasts because I finally had the reason I was looking for to get rid of them. I was diagnosed with BC. My mother and four of her sisters had breast cancer. As a carrier of a BRCA2 gene mutation I knew it was a matter of time. I just didn’t have the guts to remove them before. I am indifferent about them now, but they sure look nice. Too bad the rest of me doesn’t match. It’s always something, eh?

 

 

Caitlin Brodnick:

I parted with my breasts because I was afraid of them. I tested positive for the BRCA1 gene and knew that because of my high rate of getting breast cancer I would want to get a mastectomy at some point in my life. Originally I thought it would be when I was older, after having a few children, but I could never get rid of that fear of developing breast cancer like so many of my family members had. The screenings for breast cancer were worse, they were constant reminders I might test positive. Having a preventative double mastectomy is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I feel free, and at the same time in control. I also was able to decide my new breast size, and after battling with body issues and breasts that I never felt were the right size for my body, I now have ones I feel are perfect. Sometimes I miss having huge breasts like I once had, but then I put on a padded bra and the thought escapes me for the day.  I feel stronger now than ever before against breast cancer, and that is a total relief.

 

 

Lana Youash Safoian:

I got rid of my original breasts because I love my daughters.  They’re currently 1 and 3 years old.  I do not want their lives defined by them losing their mom to breast cancer at a young age, which is what happened to me.  I want them to have a stable upbringing, with both of their loving parents around, so their only concern will be how they’re going to conquer the world.  Also, selfishly, I underwent my preventative mastectomy because I want to spend every waking moment seeing these girls blossom… to see them graduate, get married, become mothers.  For that, I would do anything.

 

 

Michelle Barsook:

I decided to lose my breasts so that I wouldn’t get breast cancer. And that’s it.