Tell us what no one talks about — but should — when it comes to having a mastectomy and life afterward.

A mastectomy refers to the surgical removal of one or both breasts to treat or prevent breast cancer.

There are several different types of mastectomies, depending on what kind of surgery is done and how much tissue is removed. Examples include a total mastectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy, nipple-saving mastectomy, and more. Sometimes only the breast is removed, and other times the chest muscle and lymph nodes must be removed as well.

Mastectomies are typically done to treat breast cancer, but they may also be performed to prevent breast cancer in people who are at very high risk — such as women who carry the BRCA gene.

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If you've had a mastectomy, you know that it can be both a physical and an emotional process. What do you wish other people understood about the procedure, recovery, or life afterward?

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Maybe you wish people knew that not everyone decides to get reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy.

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Or you want to talk about the impact it had on your body image or self-esteem.

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Maybe you want to talk about how hard it was to find the right bras and clothing during the recovery process.

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Or perhaps you want to talk about what sex is like after a mastectomy, because it isn't talked about enough.

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So tell us: What do you wish other people knew about mastectomies and life afterward?

Your submission could help those who are going through the same thing.

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