Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) returns to Kingston

For women who face a breast cancer diagnosis, connecting with others who have gone through a similar experience and learning about treatment options is an important step to managing their diagnosis.

To help women with this process, the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario along with the Canadian Cancer Society have created an exciting free event that allows women to meet with breast cancer care specialists and talk to women who have gone through the experience themselves. Known as Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day – or BRA Day - this evening event promotes education, awareness and access for women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

“When I walked into the room I felt like I was part of a community and can see myself and my experience in each of the women here,” says Lisa, a survivor of breast cancer and past patient who has shared her story at previous BRA Day events. “BRA Day is such an important opportunity for women to connect with other breast cancer patients, to share knowledge and gain information on treatment options which empowers women to make an informed decision that is best for them.”

This year’s BRA Day event will be taking place the evening of Tuesday, October 15 at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Registration for the event is free of charge and light refreshments will be provided. Women who are considering post-mastectomy or post-lumpectomy breast reconstruction and support person (s), male or female, are encouraged to attend.

“A breast cancer diagnosis is a life changing experience for a woman, for her family, for society,” says Dr. Glykeria Martou, a breast reconstruction surgeon with Kingston Health Sciences Centre. “Through this event we want to close the loop on breast cancer and make reconstruction an integral part of the conversation. Our hope is for women to come and get enough information to make an informed decision on their treatment options. We want them to learn that reconstruction is available to them and is part of their breast cancer care options as long as it is safe from an oncology and medical perspective. This is determined on an individual basis and the breast cancer care team will support them in any decision they make”.

A highlight of this event will be a Show & Tell Lounge, a comfortable and confidential space where volunteers show attendees the real-life results of their breast reconstruction. 

The evening will start with brief presentations by specialists on breast reconstruction and alternative options, followed by personal stories by women who have undergone breast reconstruction. After the presentations, women will be invited to the Show & Tell lounge to see the results up close and ask questions.

Event details
Tuesday October 15, 2019
5:00 PM - 8:30 PM 
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, 390 King St. West

Registration is free and is required to attend this event. To RSVP today, please click here.