How a mother's pre-emptive double mastectomy led her to design range of sexy swimwear for cancer sufferers
A mother who had a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer has launched a range of swimwear for women who have undergone similar surgery.
47-year-old Patricia Brett from New York has not had breast cancer, but decided to opt for the major surgery after seeing breast cancer affect her family so deeply.
Now, the Yale graduate has explained why she opted to have her healthy breasts removed - and how the journey eventually led to her range of sexy, specially designed swimwear.
Specially designed: Patricia Brett designed Veronica Brett swimsuits especially for mastectomy patients after trying to find a flattering swimsuit among the 'matronly' offerings
Ms Brett's Veronica Brett line of swimwear is named after an aunt who died of the disease aged just 44.
The range is available in sizes 2 to 16 and has been designed to take into consideration scars, body shapes, comfort, and of course, flattery.
It makes a change to the 'matronly' offerings that were previouslyaround for mastectomy survivors.
In a candid interview with Harpers Bazaar, Ms Brett revealed the thoughts behind the designs : 'This one is my favourite... It has pockets in it for breast forms, and there's a convertible halter to hidescars if you need more coverage.'
The swimwear range was born from her being unable, as a new double mastectomy patient, to find any flattering swimwear.
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A Yale-trained architect, Ms Brett saw the chance to change the face of post-operative swimwear as a calling.
The range of swimwear, launched in 2010, has given hope to cancer sufferers everywhere.
'I get these sweet emails where they tell me, "I got your swimsuit and I just burst into tears. I haven't felt this way in 23 years." And you think, Oh, my gosh, it's just a swimsuit. That's what keeps me going.'
She has certainly had a lot to battle against.
Ms Brett told the magazine that her family history meant that she was at especially high risk of developing breast cancer.
Her three aunts - her father's sisters - lost their battles with the disease.
Then, not only was her sister Regina diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, but three of her cousins also followed suit, developing the disease before 2002.
Survivors: The range is named after an aunt of Patricia's who died from breast cancer at age 44. Her sister and cousins have also had the disease
It was that year, explains Ms Brett, that she was told she had a BRCA1 gene mutation, meaning her chance of developing breastcancer in her lifetime was 85 per cent. Her ovarian cancer risk was high, too, at 55 per cent.
With the support of her husband - 'Just getrid of them. As long as you're alive and healthy, that's fine,' he told her - she chose to have both breasts removed in January 2003.
The decision for her to take the drastic step of pre-emptive surgery was partially made for her - all of the warning signs cast her position as a cancer-free Brett female in risky light.
She had multiple suspicious areas in herbreasts that needed investigation, and was told that she would need MRIS and possibly biopsies for the rest of her life.
She saw a breast surgeon, who, the magazine reports, asked her: 'Why do you still have your breasts?'
By opting for surgery, Ms Brett joined the 36 per cent of high risk U.S. women with the BRCA mutation who opt for the prophylactic operation.
Brave: Patricia, 47, decided to turn from architecture to fashion after her preventative double mastectomy
Not everyone understands her stark determination.
'I didn't have breast cancer, and a lot of people didn't understand why I'd done the surgery. They thought I was a hypochondriac. But it's different when it's your breasts, your family, and you've seen people die from it.
'My son was one a half that summer. My husband is eight years older than me.,' she told the magazine. 'I saw myaunt die, leaving six kids, and I thought, I have to be around for thislittle guy.'
She knows she is lucky - and that the swimwear range is a blessing amid the pain breast cancer has caused her family.
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