Beth Marchant
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
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Ellyn Winters radiates confidence after having a double mastectomy and becoming a “flattie,” an option she wishes more breast cancer patients were offered.
Earlier this year, Ellyn discovered a lump on her breast, which later led to an ER/PR+ HER2- breast cancer diagnosis.
As a lover of health and fitness, Ellyn calls herself the “healthy girl.” Her initial reaction to her diagnosis was “blind panic,” and a further reinforcement that anyone can be affected by this horrible disease.
With the help of a Schitt’s Creek marathon, tapping and deep breathing, Ellyn found her way through the early days of diagnosis and found the courage to face her surgery and treatments head on. “You find reservoirs of strength when you start fighting for your life.”
Ellyn was told that she would need a single mastectomy, as surgical guidance in Ontario guides doctors to treat only the affected breast. However, in consultation with her surgeon, Ellyn opted for a double mastectomy. She wanted to limit her future risk and couldn’t picture herself going forward with a single breast.
Ellyn also embraced a less common form of reconstruction called aesthetic flat closure (AFC). This procedure removes the extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area so that the remaining tissue can be tightened and smoothed out, giving it a flat, smooth appearance.
During her journey Ellyn learned that AFC is not typically presented as a reconstruction option for breast cancer patients. She learned about the surgical technique by doing her own research into her reconstruction options. Since her surgery she’s spoken to many women on the breast cancer journey who have struggled with breast mound reconstruction and who have told her, “If only I’d known!”.
Ellyn wants women to know that going flat is an option, and regardless of whatever form of reconstruction they might choose, brave women who face breast cancer surgery and treatment should not be ashamed or feel like they need to hide their scars or changed body.
Ellyn also wants to stress the importance of early detection through routine screenings. She’s seen first-hand how many Canadians are affected by breast cancer.
Photo Credit: Hilary Gauld Camillieri, One for the Wall Photography
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
The most important thing was living every day to the fullest – and the memories.
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
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