I’m someone who has always been comfortable behind the scenes. In my career, I design corporate learning programs – I’m not the one leading the classroom. I like to be in the background, building the curriculum – creating change and quietly shaping experiences for others.
When I got breast cancer at 27, things changed. Suddenly, I couldn’t hide. Not from the diagnosis. Not from the mirror. Not from the fear.
I had to push for the diagnosis. I had a lump but was told it was probably nothing. I insisted on testing. When I got the news, my fiancé David – now my husband – and I were just completely shocked and devastated. I’d been living in this grey area of uncertainty prior to the diagnosis, and suddenly everything became very black and white. I searched desperately for someone like me – someone in their 20s, newly diagnosed, terrified and dealing with this cancer that has the stigma of being an old woman’s cancer. I kept scrolling on social media, hoping to find her, hoping to relate to someone. But I couldn’t. I felt so isolated, like I was the only one going through this.
When I finished chemo, I decided to become the advocate that I’d searched for so fervently. I wanted to create a community for other young people who are facing or have faced the same thing. I surprised myself by coming out from behind the scenes and putting myself in the spotlight. I opened TikTok. I turned the camera on. And I started filming.
On my TikTok account (@natorrico), I share what life after treatment is like – and what healing and thriving can look like. Creating this content is very healing. It’s very soft. I show my day-to-day life: relaxing nature walks with David and our miniature dachshund, Ozzie; tending to my houseplants; making nourishing, nutritious food; brewing the perfect cup of coffee; watching the sun pour in the window. There’s a lot of intentional self-care and romanticizing my routine. When I was going through my treatment, I wished that there was something like this, someone like me out there. I hope I can give comfort to someone else feeling anxious and wondering what their life will look like once they get through cancer. I want to show what’s possible, what’s next. There’s a lack of this type of space in the post-cancer experience. My goal this year is to become a breast cancer advocate – not just for myself, but for other women as well.
Breast cancer is so intense. It changed my identity – and deeply affected my confidence. I felt like my womanhood was being taken away. I wondered whether I’d still be able to have kids some day. And I would look at myself in the mirror and think, “Who am I?” I had always been Blonde Natalia, Natalia Who’s Always Running and Exercising – that’s who I am, or who I was – but I couldn’t be that person anymore. Things needed to change. I had to rewrite the narrative.
Look Good Feel Better supported me on this journey. The organization showed me the power of advocacy and community. It helped give me the courage to put myself in the spotlight – visible, vocal, and vulnerable – so that I, too, can support others.
Post-cancer Natalia is a very different person from pre-cancer Natalia. I know who I am now and what I want. After gathering up the courage to advocate for myself and speak up, I’ve really found my voice. I’m more independent, more confident, and better able to prioritize what’s truly important to me. I’m letting my natural red hair grow back – no more blonde. Getting cancer in one’s 20s is certainly not something I’d wish on anyone. It was a devastating experience for me. But there are good things that can come out of these situations, and I’m really embracing those good things now. I’ve come out of it learning just how strong and resilient I am, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.
Natalia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natorrico
Areola Tattooing Workshop
Areola tattooing can help restore confidence and a sense of self after breast cancer treatment. Through careful artistry and compassionate care, practitioners can create realistic, personalized results.
About this Workshop
Join our workshop with a leading 3D post-mastectomy tattoo artist.
Learn what areola tattooing is
View before and after photos
Discover how to find a good technician
Find out who is – and isn’t – a good candidate for these types of tattoos to help you decide if it’s right for you
This information is designed to help you understand the process and ask questions
During our workshop we’ll cover:
The questions to ask before booking a 3D tattoo artist
Colour matching to compliment your skin tones
Health and safety protocols and the importance of a regulated and licensed professional
The differences between areola tattoos and decorative chest tattoos
Artistry and techniques such as shading, skin stretching, getting realistic results, and ensuring colour retention as the skin heals
Realistic expectations around appearance, the healing process, fading and the possible need for touch-ups
Build Confidence Through Knowledge
This workshop is available ONLINE
- It is led by one of our experts and delivered over Zoom. It lasts for approximately an hour and 15 minutes.
Who should attend this workshop?
- This workshop is for anyone who is interested in areola tattoos, has had breast reconstruction with or without implants, reconstructed nipples or has a flat chest wall following a mastectomy.
Find out if tattooing is right for you.
Join our next session and feel confident in your choices.
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
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” There’s lots of great information. I feel as though the questions I had were answered before I even had a chance to ask them. I’m not happy about the changes to my body, but I am accepting them, and I appreciate the tips and support to help me deal with this.”
- Kathryn R, Workshop Participant
Prefer direct information from a professional?
Try our Bras & Prostheses Workshop today!
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Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
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Post Surgical Products
Prostheses Basics
Fitting & Clothing Tips
Nightwear & Sleep Support
Care & Maintenance
Skincare During Radiation
Nipple Appearance Options
Access & Financial Help
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
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Bras & Prostheses Workshop
Whether you’ve recently had a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or breast reconstruction—or are still exploring your options—you may be wondering what comes next. How will your body change? What will feel comfortable? Join us to learn about breast forms, bras, post-surgical garments, swimsuits and more.
About this Workshop
What you will learn:
Questions to ask before treatment and/or pre-surgery
Supportive clothing post-surgery & during treatment – Bras, camisoles, and breast forms designed for comfort and healing
How a fitting works – What to expect, when to go, and how to find the right size
Body changes during recovery – Possible impacts on sizing and when to introduce different types of apparel or forms
Breast prostheses & partial forms – Options that help restore balance and boost confidence
Financial coverage – Where to look for funding, insurance options, and community support
The information and dialogues are designed to help you:
Navigate your choices with confidence
Walk you through your options in a supportive and welcoming space
Gain knowledge in post-surgical camisoles, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras
Every day solutions
This workshop is available ONLINE
Who should attend this workshop?
Anyone affected by breast cancer who wants information about breast forms, garments and what to expect before, during or after surgery and/or treatment.
What our participants have to say
” It was great to learn about all the options I have…some of which I didn’t know about or hadn’t even thought of. Very helpful, empowering, supportive info at a time when some of us are feeling uncertain and self-conscious. “
- Audrey R., Workshop Participant
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
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I’ll never forget my first interaction with Look Good Feel Better (LGFB). It was about 20 years ago, when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Going to the LGFB workshop was my best day at the cancer centre. Most of my time there wasn’t cheerful or enjoyable, but my experience with LGFB was just lovely. The people were so kind and helpful, and it was great fun. I look back on it fondly.
I got diagnosed with cancer again last year. This time it was what doctors called a “complex case”: three distinct cancers – endometrial, ovarian, and fallopian – in three different places.
One of the first things I did was to connect with LGFB again and sign up for a workshop. Getting to attend the workshop again, after all these years, was a shiny, happy moment in my cancer journey. Who knew that chemotherapy could include highlights? It was the same supportive experience with people who were genuinely interested in helping me feel my best. I loved how they now provide a helpful booklet with makeup tips, so I didn’t have to take notes during the workshop.
The workshop isn’t really about makeup or skincare for me, though. It’s about the opportunity to chat with other people going through the same experience. And to have a good time – for example, everyone had a good giggle with some of the ladies modelling their wigs and making wonderful faces in the mirror. Sometimes, we just need a day where we’re thinking about nothing other than having fun. There’s no other agenda. It was so helpful in terms of my spirit – just enhancing my mood and joy. It’s more beneficial than therapy or a self-help group for me. LGFB cultivates such a supportive, uplifting environment. It was a very restorative afternoon – such a gift, truly. Whoever came up with this idea deserves immense credit.
Cancer and its treatment affect us all so differently. They can tell you what to expect during chemotherapy, but you never really know what’s coming your way until it’s there. It’s the same way with how cancer treatment’s side effects impact our appearance and self-esteem – it’s so individual. We may respond with acknowledgement or disbelief or rejection or anger. There’s a plethora of possible responses.
In a way, I think it comes down to your willingness to accept your own reality. My personal attitude is one of total acceptance. “It is what it is” – that’s my mantra. I look at whatever’s happening in my life – cancer treatment, or a broken shoelace, or a scenario in one of my past careers in education and social work – and I assess what’s going on and how to deal with it. How best can I move forward? What’s my next step? What’s the most useful and functional response to a situation? Is there a possibility to enhance the situation, to make it better?
That approach has served me well in life, and it’s serving me well now. I change the things I can change, and accept the things I can’t. I like to be realistic about what’s possible.
These days, I’m looking forward to what’s next. I’ve finished my treatment and I’m enjoying being retired. I love to make art – I also teach watercolour classes – and to spend time with my grandchildren. I’m looking forward to getting back to travelling, and specifically to going on a cruise. I just want to be on a ship somewhere warm. I love cruising, it’s my favourite thing. No cooking, no cleaning, just art classes, ocean air, and leisurely afternoon naps. And if I can’t be on a ship just yet, I’ll take an afternoon like the one LGFB gave me any day – one with kindness, laughter, and light.
Body Image after Cancer Treatment and Surgery
For many people living with cancer or in remission, changes in appearance can be a major source of concern and anxiety. This is not vanity. Much of our identity is related to our physical appearance from how we wear our hair to what clothes we choose. Body shape and size, including breasts, are often tied to a sense of self, self-expression, sexuality, and self-esteem.
Appearance Related Side-effects
Appearance-related impacts of cancer can be temporary (like hair loss and skin changes) or more permanent (like surgery or scarring). They can all affect a person at a time when they may already feel vulnerable, which can negatively impact their mental and emotional health.
For anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, there’s enough to cope with emotionally without also feeling that there’s no space to speak about body image issues or that it is somehow selfish or vain to worry about them. For Dee-Jay Jodoin, a B.C. woman in remission, changes to her physical appearance like hair loss and weight gain were hard to accept.
The Physical and Emotional Connection
“People going through cancer treatment often experience a change in their body image and in their relationship with their body,” says Monique Voorn, a social worker at the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre in Barrie, Ontario. “They may be unhappy about how their appearance has changed, whether they’ve had breast surgery or scars they don’t like, or lymphedema. Sometimes, a woman may not have had significant visual changes to her body but feels like her body has failed her or that she can’t count on it.”
There can also be physical changes that a person may not expect. “With radiation, there are skin changes,” notes Larissa Dyck, an oncology nurse in Calgary, Alta. “The area that’s treated darken and may take a while to fade, and skin can get tighter and be uncomfortable for some patients, causing a loss of range of motion.”
Keloids – a type of raised scar that can arise after a surgery. These can be a particular concern for Black women specifically.
Weight can be an issue, too. Being on hormones can cause weight changes that can turn women’s body image completely upside down and they can get really down on themselves.
It takes time for women to recognize and appreciate the full impact of the changes they’ve undergone during their cancer journey. “It’s often near the end of treatment when it really hits women what they’ve been through and all the changes they’ve undergone – physical and otherwise,” says Dyck. “When patients are finished their treatment, they expect things to go back to normal — but they may still be on long-term hormones or medication, and that’s when it can be really hard. They expect their bodies to just bounce back, and they want to go back to work and exercise, but things aren’t the same as before.”
Empowerment is Different for Every Person
While physical symptoms can affect a person in a finite number of ways, the emotional experience is different for everyone.
“When some women lose their hair with chemo, they’ll proudly wear a head scarf. Other women have a complete loss of identity and want to wear a wig. They may fear that their partners won’t be attracted to them.”
Larissa Dyck
– Oncology nurse from Calgary, Alberta
“There’s a wave or rollercoaster ride of emotions in any type of cancer. There’s a lot of grief. We grieve all kinds of changes or losses in our lives that cancer brings — to your body, to your innocence, and to the carefree way that you may have used to experience life.”
Monique Voon
– Social Worker from Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre
EVERY DAY WE HELP PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEMSELVES AGAIN
Look Good Feel Better workshops help women, men and teens with cancer learn how to manage the physical, social and emotional impacts of cancer and its treatment in small and supportive groups.
Skincare & Makeup: Learn how to care for sensitive skin plus tips & techniques for managing the loss of brows and lashes, adding colour back to the face, makeup hygiene, and sun safety.
Bras & Prostheses: Learn about options available for post-surgery and beyond, what to expect at a breast form fitting, tips for where to find financial coverage, and more.
Wigs & Scarves: See a demonstration on various head coverings, what to consider when selecting a wig, easy scarf-tying techniques, plus caring for your scalp during and after treatment.
Teens: This special workshop just for teens includes skincare, on-trend make-up tips to feel your best and a demonstration of fun styles for caps, wraps, and hair alternatives.
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
When to use Breast Forms
There is nothing wrong with wanting to feel like yourself. If you’ve been medically cleared to wear breast forms, then you should wear one whenever you choose to.
Some women use breast forms while waiting for reconstruction
Wearing a breast form may help minimize shoulder droop for some people
They can be worn all the time, just on certain days or during certain activities
Others opt not to have reconstructive surgery and use forms as a long-term option
Lots of other people choose to not wear one at all and “live flat”
Types of Breast Forms
Should you choose to wear a breast form, there are lots of different options out there. They vary in weight, material, size and shape. Take the time to explore your options and find the best one for you. Some are even made specially for exercising and swimming.
Custom made breast forms are also available if you aren’t able to find a shape that works for you.
Breast form varieties include:
Various weights that can be very lightweight or match natural breast weight
Some companies offer forms in different shades to better match skin tones
Partial forms available for lumpectomy
Symmetrical or Asymmetrical to match your natural shape
Special forms for swimming or sports
Different materials including silicone, gel, fiber fill, foam
After Surgery
During the 6-week healing period, you won’t want to add weight or compression to the area. Initial breast forms, which are made of a lightweight, loose fibre, are a good option. Some women like the lightweight fibre of an initial breast form and choose this option as their standard breast form after the recovery period has passed.
Others prefer the weight of a standard breast form as it can feel more what they are used to.
Some women refer to the “hug test” – or what makes them feel most comfortable when hugging another person. Knowing what will work for you will depend on your needs and what makes you comfortable.
Partial Forms
Partial forms or protheses are used after a lumpectomy or lymph node removal. They can also be used several years after a reconstruction to match changes in your other breast due to changes in weight and natural changes over time.
They help balance shape and create symmetry. There are lots of options for every shape and size to match the other breast.
Preparing for a Breast Form Fitting
- Most fittings are more than an hour – call and book an appointment
- Schedule 6+ weeks after surgery
- Ensure you don’t have any swelling to find a proper fit
- Wait until there’s no drainage at site
- You should be completely healed: no wounds or bandages
- Bring a fitted t-shirt to test how your bra looks underneath it
Nervous about going into a retail breast form shop?
Call ahead and ask some of these questions:
Do they carry a full range of products?
Will they explain the differences in products to you?
Do they offer private fitting rooms?
How busy will they be at the time of your appointment?
Is the retailer knowledgeable of various surgery types and treatments?
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter
Newsletter Form
Is Areola Restoration (a.k.a. Nipple Tattooing) right for you?
Nipple tattooing uses ink and shading techniques like traditional tattooing; this gives the illusion of 3D nipples where none exist. After breast cancer surgery, some people choose in areola restoration because it provides them a sense of confidence, empowerment, and comfort.
Whether you choose to include this in your post-cancer journey is entirely up to you. Here are some of the things to consider if you choose to explore this option.
Is there a ‘Right Type’ of Breast Tissue?
The first important thing to know is that nipple tattoos can be done on any type of tissue:
Reconstructed breast, with or without implants
Reconstructed nipples
Chest wall after a mastectomy
“Is a mastectomy tattoo the same thing as a nipple tattoo / areola restoration?”
No! Areola restoration are realistic tattoos done to look like an areola and 3D nipple. Decorative Tattoos, also known as mastectomy tattoos, are a form of body art that can be used to cover or camouflage scars. These types of tattoos can be any type of design or image. Many patients find it to be an empowering form of self-expression and an opportunity to redefine one’s experience after breast cancer surgery.
How do I find a Nipple Tattoo technician?
You are investing both time and money into the procedure so you should be comfortable with the person doing the work
- The tattoos are permanent, so you want to be confident in your choice.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask a trusted friend to help you make calls and pre-screen with you.
- You might also want to speak to your doctor, medical team, or other women for references too.
- Before deciding on a technician, ask to see photos of the technician’s work. You can also request to call, email, or meet with a former client and ask about their experience.
Consider these things when choosing a technician:
Safety
Choose a place registered with your local public health unit
Tattooing is not regulated under Federal or Provincial governments. Establishments, however, can register with public health and will be inspected and regulated
Public health regulations will include standards on things like hand washing, sterilization, single-use needles, and bagging of machines to prevent the risk of infection
Artistry & Technique
Ensure that the colour, design and shading is skillfully planned and executed. This will help create a realistic areola tattoo. These factors should be customized for you to match an existing nipple, replicate what you are used to or align with your personal preferences. Colour, shape, size is unique to each woman.
Like with art, colour theory is a vital component of tattooing. It’s extremely important that the technician you select is experienced and knowledgeable on the role of skin tones and undertones as well as how they will impact the way colour pigments show up on you.
Before finalizing an areola design on your body, ensure the technician can draw it on paper first. This will show whether they have the artistic skills to deliver on the design you have selected.
Proper technique will ensure the colour pigment stays vibrant as the skin heals and tattoo develops. Stretching of the skin as the needle is tattooing will also help achieve this and ensure the ink does not fade.
Other things to look for include: no patchiness, clean line work, and smooth shading.
Colour and Camouflaging Scars
Tattooing can cover a scar that is light by making it darker, but it is very difficult to make a dark scar lighter
Laser therapy may help in lightning scars and should be considered if lighting is needed before embarking on tattooing
Empathy
Your needs are important during this experience. Ensure you feel comfortable with your technician
A technician should be patient throughout the process from deciding on a design to respecting your needs for breaks while getting the tattoo
Asking questions and speaking up if you are uncomfortable provides a better experience for you, and also ensures the technician is attuned to your needs
Cost
The cost of areola restoration can vary from $500-$1500 depending on whether it is unilateral or bilateral
Some provinces offer coverage through public health insurance
Though costs may increase with the use of proper PPE and medical grade pigment, you should insist on these
Is areola tattooing right for you?
Get your questions answered in our Areola Tattooing Workshop.
Let’s navigate this together
Join a community that understands. Receive expert advice, useful resources, and compassionate tips throughout your cancer journey in the LGFB newsletter