“The Skin-Sparing Mastectomy has made a huge difference in my life. It's enabled me to have the proper (reconstructive) surgery. I am myself again, I think I look good, my clothes fit, my husband is thrilled and I am very happy.”— Mary Palmer, DDS,
Breast Cancer Survivor & Skin-Sparing Mastectomy Recipient

Share Your Story

If you or someone you know would like to contribute a personal story regarding having the skin-sparing mastectomy, not being offered the skin-sparing mastectomy, or receiving a radical mastectomy, please contact:

Hila Parks
Director of Operations

hila@breastpreservation.org
Phone: 1-877-SPARE-01

We welcome your participation and thank you for your support. It is important that newly diagnosed women have access to other survivors’ experiences.

Stories

Breast cancer affects women of all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Breast Preservation Foundation believes that all women with breast cancer deserve the opportunity to spare their breasts. We thank these courageous women for sharing their personal stories so that others can be informed and inspired.

Stefanie LaRue, 33

Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at 30.

After multiple misdiagnoses and being told repeatedly she was too young to have breast cancer, Stefanie was diagnosed with aggressive, life-threatening, stage 4 metastatic cancer in her right breast in November 2005. She was given one year to live. She was 30 years old.

Within three weeks of her diagnosis, she started chemotherapy. Her lump measured over 8 centimeters. After chemo she had surgery to remove the cancer. But her margins were not clear, so another surgery followed. She was left with only skin and a nipple on the right side of her chest. Her breast surgeon had scraped all the way down to the chest wall removing all the breast tissue possible but sparing the skin. Despite the advanced stage of her cancer, she got to keep the outside of her breast because she had a skin-sparing mastectomy. A plastic surgeon was later able to reconstruct her breast, restoring her shape, her femininity and her sexuality.

For more of Stefanie’s story, visit www.myspace.com/cancerwarrior.

Mary Palmer, DDS, 62

After noticing an inverted nipple, Mary was diagnosed via a mammogram. After consulting a plastic surgeon in advance, her oncological surgeon performed a single, skin-sparing mastectomy, which allowed for breast and nipple reconstruction.

Edith Speed, 47

Diagnosed during a routine mammogram, Edith was advised to have a bilateral radical mastectomy due to her family history of breast cancer. With a coordinated surgical approach, she received skin-sparing mastectomies and immediate reconstruction during the same surgery.

Rosanna Rabottini, 49

Rosanna’s annual mammogram detected a lump. With a strong family history of breast cancer, she opted for a double mastectomy. Though not informed about it at the time, she was lucky to receive skin-sparing mastectomies, which allowed for breast reconstruction.

Laney Fichera, 40-something

Laney discovered her breast cancer by chance, after feeling an unusual pimple high above her breast. After a lumpectomy, she was left with a depression and disfiguring scars on her chest. Years later she sought out scar removal and reconstruction.

Karen Stein, 60

Diagnosed via mammogram and self-exam, Karen’s cancer was in her nipple. Due to her small breasts, her coordinated surgical team recommended a skin-sparing mastectomy with reconstruction over a lumpectomy. Both her nipple and breast were later reconstructed.