Boob diaries: 6 women share their breast hang-ups and joys

Thanks to a high occurrence of familial breast cancer and my own dense tissue, I’ll earn my “previvor” badge when I have elective surgery later this year. To help prepare my head and heart for what lies ahead, I attended an event made for women like me. The big draw at Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (or “BRA Day”) — an annual, Canada-wide event designed to educate prospective patients about their post-mastectomy options — is the Show & Tell lounge. It’s a private, women-only space in which a handful of generous ladies doff their tops, offering the rest of us a first-hand view of their implants, scars and all. Following a quick introduction and some nervous laughter, the volunteers began undressing. First up was Karen, who whipped off her tank top, took my hand and matter-of-factly placed it on the curve of her chest, asking me whether I could feel the implant. I couldn’t, but admittedly, I wasn’t pressing very hard. I’m not sure what I was expecting from the evening, but it was refreshingly devoid of survivor platitudes. I was just standing in a room full of beautiful women, discussing the merits of teardrop and round implants. (My surgeon later recommended round due to my small cup size and natural sag.) But more important than what the models were — or weren’t — wearing was the undeniable fact that they are doing okay. It made me feel like I might be okay too.