Breast cancer has always been a soft spot in my life…
My mom was diagnosed when I was 12 years old, and she fought a long and incredibly hard battle. She spent most of my teenage years at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She had a double mastectomy, went through chemotherapy and radiation, had a hysterectomy, and endured more than anyone ever should. At one point, her spine collapsed, and she was paralyzed and in a wheelchair. But even through all of that, she got up every single day, threw her hands up and would say, “Today is going to be a great day!”
On April 3, 2006, she lost her battle.
Since the moment she passed, I’ve carried a quiet fear with me—that one day, I would face the same fate. Am I just a ticking time bomb? Would I be diagnosed at 47? Would I be another woman in the long lineage of women who would succumb to breast cancer. My mom was the first woman in our family to live past 50—and even then, she only made it to 53.
Then, in the fall of 2025, I was mindlessly doomscrolling when I saw that a friend had posted about having a prophylactic double mastectomy. At first, I thought, what is that? But as I started researching, my mind was completely blown. A preventative mastectomy? Something you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Wait… what? You mean I don’t have to live in fear?
I gave myself a full year to think about it. This isn’t a small decision—it’s life changing. But my doctors were clear: the sooner I chose to move forward, the more I could reduce my risk, especially if I had it done before the age of 40.
The Bianca DIY Mastectomy Bra Pattern
At the beginning of this year, I met with a plastic surgeon and scheduled the procedure. I feel incredibly lucky to be receiving care at one of the best cancer centers in the world, Sloan Kettering. Having seen firsthand how destructive cancer can be, I knew I didn’t want to just go through this experience—I wanted to create something meaningful from it. Something that could help others. That’s where the Bianca Mastectomy Bra PDF Sewing pattern was born.
Dana, the owner of AnaOno, and I have been friends for over a decade. I actually interviewed her for my blog years ago, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. When I made the decision to move forward with surgery, she was one of the first people I thought of. I reached out and asked if she’d be open to collaborating—taking her best-selling post-surgery bra and turning it into a sewing pattern.
And she said yes.
Together, we created the Bianca Mastectomy Bra pattern—not just as a garment, but as a tool for healing. We also designed a custom print, something soft, beautiful, and intentional, printed onto a gentle lycra that feels as good as it looks. Because recovery deserves beauty, too. We also decided to give back – donated 10% of sales of the pattern to The Previvor.
This pattern is designed with care, comfort, and dignity in mind. It’s for anyone navigating post surgery healing—whether from cancer, a preventative procedure like mine, or any other reason. It’s for makers who want to create something personal during a deeply personal time.
My Goal
But beyond the pattern itself, my goal is bigger. When I started researching prophylactic mastectomies, I found very little information—especially from a personal perspective. It felt isolating, confusing, and honestly, a little overwhelming. I know that putting my story out there will invite opinions. Some people won’t understand. Some may even reduce this decision to something superficial. But this isn’t about that.
This is about choosing a longer, healthier life.
About taking control where I can.
Turning fear into action.
And if sharing my story—or creating this pattern—helps even one person feel a little less alone, a little more informed, or a little more empowered to make a decision that’s right for them, then every part of this journey will have been worth it.
