Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
“I am not my breast”…. Offering Support through Breast Cancer
Dr Jozelle Miller
October 11, 2022

“I am not my breast”…. Offering Support through Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumour in women, and amidst the great progress in its early detection and treatment, as well as improvement in the diagnosis of the disease; mastectomy (breast removal) continues to be practiced. In understanding and weighing the odds to save their lives as opposed to keeping a breast, there is no doubt that the choice of life wins every time. But the decision to remove the breast doesn’t come without its psychological and physical challenges. Research has shown that having a mastectomy (breast removal), causes more trauma than the cancer illness itself; as such it is important that loved ones understand the trauma involved and appreciate the delicate nature of such a decision, being sure to exercise wisdom and compassion in responding to a woman who had to take such a major operation.

A Woman’s Body Image:
The breast is part of the female “body image,” being appreciated from the erotic point of view, which is often the expression of her own worth and power. Women are known to express a love for their breast; it adds to the level of self confidence as a sexual partner, and it enhances the overall body image of a woman.

Mastectomy (breast removal), involves the loss of this worthy image, it is considered an attack to the body image, causing great worry about aesthetic features from that moment, which provokes the thought that she does not feel beautiful: She may testify:

“When I see myself, I do not feel I have any charm, and this is a huge problem for me. I try to accept it, but I cannot.”

Then it is not strange that she avoids looking in the mirror, which is a reference to the personal charm that no longer exists:

“My appearance was like a freak, I felt sorry for myself,” This lady would avoid all those situations where she has to expose her body to the gaze of others (beaches, pools, gyms, etc.), in a way to hide herself. It may also extend to her home: “I used to walk naked around the house, but since my operation I won’t do it any more” The loss of courage related to a single part of the “body image” is transmitted to the complete self-image and also to the whole personality, showing then a characteristic chain of thought: “my breast is not worthy” to, “my body is not worthy” and “I’m not worthy.” This leads to a fall in the self-esteem that drives the woman not to like herself or even to reject herself, leading her to an attitude of introversion, inward-looking, shyness, insecurity, confinement, and/or social inhibition, which did not exist before the problem or at least were not so emphasized.

One woman’s struggle with inferiority:

“I hate the way I am, because I do not feel like the other women, I’m not complete.”
“I feel I’m not worthy and I do not know how to explain it.”
“When I’m with my friends I become a shy person since I feel I’m inferior”.
“I do not understand how this can make such an influence on me, since it not only stop me in intimacy with my spouse/mate, but also with the visitors who come home and I’m speechless when I’m with them, as though I had no words and could not express myself. This had not happened to me before. And I am tired of the question which comes over very insensitive… YOU ONLY HAVE ONE BREAST?”

How to cope after a Mastectomy:

Keep a positive attitude. To help deal with the loss of your breast or breasts, it’s important to focus on the positive.
Talk with your partner. Many women may worry about their sexual relationships after a mastectomy — and may wonder if others will still find them attractive. Women also may miss the sensitivity and pleasure derived from touching their nipples and breasts. Talk with your partner and share your concerns and fears. You will probably discover that there are many characteristics beyond your breasts that make you attractive and womanly to your partner.
Consider breast reconstruction or breast prosthesis to help feel more like themselves and improve self-esteem, or opt for plastic surgery to reconstruct their breasts.
Do things that make you feel healthy and good about yourself. Figure out what helps you feel good about you and stick to that regimen.

Bottom line: Although a mastectomy can change your feelings about yourself and your body, it’s important to remember that you’re worthy of love and attention — both from yourself and others. By staying positive and surrounding yourself with a good support system, you can undergo a mastectomy with your self-esteem intact.
Keep saying… I am not my BREAST!!!

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Front Page
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    A fire that destroyed a multi-family complex in Richland Park over the weekend has left at least 12 people homeless, including a 23-year-old mother of...
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Front Page
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has responded to reports by the United States administration that its military had carried out the bombing of a boa...
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Front Page
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Police investigators on Union Island are said to be looking into the “disappearance” of building materials that were sent to the Southern Grenadine Is...
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Front Page
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    by Grace Francis After sharing a small space for over a year, children and teachers at the Fitz Hughes Early Childhood Centre went into brand new prem...
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Front Page
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Several secondary schools and special needs institutions across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have received $5,000 donations towards meals for s...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    News
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    News
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is leading a delegation to the East African country of Ethiopia; the delegation left the state on Wednesday, Septe...
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    News
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The modern port in Kingstown is expected to be handed over to the government just before this country celebrates its 46th anniversary of political ind...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok