Useful resources: breast cancer surgery

It is important that you make an informed decision about your surgery by speaking to your breast surgeon and taking a second opinion if you feel it is necessary. Here are some helpful resources that we’ve put together from our perspective as patients.

Information about the different types of surgery

A breast cancer surgeon’s view of breast cancer surgery by Dr Tasha Gandamihardja.

Breast Cancer Now guide to breast cancer surgery.

Making decisions

Macmillan has a helpful guide to making decisions about your surgery here.

The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control by Professor Trisha Greenhalgh (Author), Dr Liz O’Riordan is an excellent book with chapters dedicated to surgery options and reconstruction options, including questions to ask your medical team.

Preparing for surgery

Surgery prep & planning checklist.

What to take to hospital for a mastectomy.

Breast Cancer Now has a booklet on what to expect when you go into hospital for breast cancer surgery which you can download or order here.

Lumpectomy

Breast Cancer Now information about undergoing a lumpectomy.

Cancer Research UK information about undergoing a lumpectomy.

Mastectomy 

Breast Cancer Now  information about undergoing a mastectomy.

Jen’s Friends for small post-surgery pillows (this is a link to their Facebook page).

Knitted Knockers UK  is a charity which provides free knitted breast prosthetics for ladies who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy.

11 Things No One Tells You About Getting a Double Mastectomy – an interesting article on self.com.

Mastectomy Network on Facebook is an independent resource sharing mastectomy and reconstruction procedures and outcomes, helping patients make better informed decisions.

Breast reconstruction

A breast cancer surgeon’s view of breast cancer surgery by Dr Tasha Gandamihardja.

Reconstruction – Macmillan’s Breast Reconstruction Booklet – Understanding breast reconstruction | Booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support. Our breast care nurse, Jackie, says, “I love this booklet. It uses real photos, has pros and cons and a direct comparison page for all options.”

Breast Cancer Now have a booklet on breast reconstruction surgery which you can download or order here.

Keeping Abreast is a charity dedicated to supporting women through and after breast reconstruction.

ABC Diagnosis  is a website set up by someone with secondary breast cancer which focuses on your options for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction.

3D Nipple Tattoo for those people who decide not to go for reconstruction but want to have a permanent nipple tattoo.

PRMA Plastic Surgery there are a lot of helpful and informative blog articles on this website about breast reconstruction.

Living flat

Flat Friends is dedicated to supporting women who have had mastectomy surgery without breast reconstruction, including those who may face such decisions now or in the future, due to either a breast cancer diagnosis or preventative surgery. They have an excellent downloadable guide to living without reconstruction.

Living without breasts – a personal story giving a patient’s perspective of living without reconstruction by Juliet.

Post surgery lingerie

Marks & Spencer and Asda have a good range.

Recoheart for post surgery bras.

Simply Zoe for post surgery lingerie.

Simply Zoe lingerie: I set this up following my cancer diagnosis.

Valiant lingerie for post surgery lingerie.

Royce lingerie for post surgery lingerie.

Lingerie – Nicola Jane Mastectomy Bra and Post Surgery Bra Specialists – Nicola Jane

Amoena – Amoena UK | Amoena Bras, Swimwear, Breast Forms, Prosthesis, Lingerie, & Mastectomy Wear

Exercising and physio after surgery

A video on exercises to help with cording from Cancer Research UK.

The Breast Cancer Now booklet on exercises after surgery can be downloaded or ordered here.

Guys and St. Thomas Hospital guide to post-surgery exercise and physio.

Seromas and other immediate post-surgery issues

Breast Cancer Now guide to post-surgery issues.

Scar tissue problems

Scar tissue release – an article about the benefits of scar tissue massage by Emma Holly.

Lymphoedema

Please refer to the lymphoedema page for tips and links to helpful resources.

Future Dreams services

Future Dreams hold a range of support groups, classes, workshops and events to help you and your carers during your breast cancer diagnosis. These are held both online and in person at the London-based Future Dreams House. To see what’s on offer and to book your place, see here.

To return to the homepage of our Information Hub, click here where you can access more helpful information, practical advice, personal stories and more.

Reviewed February 2023.

The information and content provided on this page has been written from a patient’s perspective then reviewed by a breast care nurse and it is intended for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your medical team for advice on anything covered in this article and/or in relation to your personal situation. The links and/or recommendations in this article to third-party resources are for your information and we take no responsibility for the content contained in those third-party resources. Any product recommendations made in this article are not product endorsements and unless otherwise stated, they are made without any affiliation to the brand of that product. We ask you to note that there may be other similar products available.