Home → Day-to-Day Matters → Talking to Your Family and Friends About Breast Cancer → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Family, Friends, Relationships → May 2006: Talking with Kids About Breast Cancer → No nipple construction negatively affects daughter?

No nipple construction negatively affects daughter?

Page last modified on: October 9, 2008

Question from Serfi: I am a 34-year-old breast cancer survivor with a 5-year-old daughter. I have had mastectomy on both breasts and breast reconstruction, but I did not have the nipples constructed. I am pretty comfortable like this but my daughter is asking when I will have them back. Should I have them made just for her if she is negatively affected by this?: Answers —Paula Rauch, M.D.: What's important is that you yourself feel comfortable with your body and that you help your daughter to feel comfortable with your body too. Five-year-olds often have questions about people's differences—the color of their skin, the shapes of their bodies—so curiosity may be playing a part. I would recommend that you help her get comfortable with your breasts as they are now and as you feel comfortable with them.; Tamara Shulman, Ph.D., F.A.A.C.P.: I think children take a lot of cues from their parents and if the mom is comfortable with her decision, that will ultimately be conveyed to the child. As your child gets older, you may give explanations about what has happened and that would be appropriate for an older child. But a 5-year-old will respond to your comfort with your body. Questions are very normal.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Talking with Kids about Breast Cancer. Paula Rauch, M.D. and Tamara Shulman, Ph.D., F.A.A.C.P. answered your questions about specific ways to support your kids while you undergo treatment, and different communication strategies for helping your kids to feel secure during a time of uncertainty.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Paula K. Rauch, M.D. is a child psychiatrist on the Harvard Medical School faculty and practices at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She founded and directs the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center parenting program known as Parenting At a Challenging Time (PACT).

Tamara Shulman, Ph.D., FAACP Tamara Shulman, Ph.D., F.A.A.C.P. is a clinical psychologist based in the New York City area who works with adults, adolescents, and children deal with the crisis of serious illness.