Over the last couple of days I have undertaken extensive research on a subject that will invariably effect woman who have had breast cancer surgery, whether it be lumpectomy or mastectomy. My research has left me feeling disheartened, frustrated and just a little bit pissed off.
The subject matter of my research? Swimwear
Now don’t laugh, this is serious.
When I was diagnosed in 2004, I was considered “young”. I wasn’t to wear anything under wired which didn’t leave much choice. There were some ok bras in M&S but swimwear wise, very little. What there was, was old fashioned and ugly.
Fast forward 15 years and boy how we have progressed.
Oh wait, no we haven’t.
One knee length swimdress please
The swimwear is still the same. Even at a young (very) 50 years of age, the offerings are far too old looking for me to wear. The patterns are ugly and floral and similar to 60s wallpaper.
It makes me wonder whether the world feels that we should stay in doors and that we really must make it obvious and upset others. Because what every breast cancer survivor wants is a swimsuit that advertises their journey.
The perfect figure
For starters, swimsuits come in one length so bye bye tall people.
And I’m not actually that tall. I could go for a strapless suit but since it wouldn’t stretch passed my bellybutton what’s the point?
When I found some tops I could live with, the bottoms that matched were so skimpy I’d be worried that I’d get paper money tucked in them constantly. (I bought 4 pairs….)
If I did find something that I felt I would wear quite happily, they were sold as a set – same size top and bottom. Who has that??????
For all of you at have this problem I salute you.
I have not been able to buy a bikini set since puberty…
In my mind I like to think that I have an hour glass figure AKA Marilyn Munroe, but in reality, its more of a tumbler….
Now having had a lumpectomy over a mastectomy does give me more options. But I still have scars I want to cover. And some that will still be sore at a time I want to offer my pale skin to the sun.
So here's the deal
My research has led me to the following conclusions:
- Once you have breast cancer you must only wear swimwear for older ladies
- The world believes that you only get breast cancer when you are over 65
- If you do have breast cancer you must put out of your mind any thoughts of looking attractive or sexy or wearing something that actually suits your body shape.
We just want choice!
But otherwise, we really are not catered for. And that really does disappoint me.
So, so many women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, young women in their 20s. Their choices shouldn’t really be hooker or grandma.
There are, I know, thousands of women for whom the existing post-surgery swimwear is perfect. And that’s fab. But there really should be the same level of choice for all women. Boobs or no boobs.
We still have the right to want to look good.
And do you know what else? None of them were rose gold….
