I found a lump in my right breast that was diagnosed as breast cancer in August of 2019. At the time I was also 15 weeks pregnant. To continue with my pregnancy and treat the cancer, my only option was to have a mastectomy. Losing my breast was really tough. I was embarrassed, I couldn’t bear to look at myself, and there was a period where I didn’t hug anyone in case they could feel the physical difference. But over time I have been sharing my story, and knowing that I am helping others who are in a similar position has been hugely beneficial. I have learned to love my scars, and I am so proud of my body and what it has been through. —Lizzi England
Jillian Kramer is a journalist who writes about health, wellness, science, and adventure. She taps into a broad network of doctors, scientists, and medical experts to write in-depth service articles for leading publications, including Glamour, The New York Times, Scientific American, Travel + Leisure, EatingWell, and Food & Wine.
