A mum battling breast cancer had a ‘breast journey party’ ahead of a double mastectomy – with booby bingo, breast decorations and even a breast-shaped cake.
Steph Coffield, 41, was diagnosed with breast cancer after attending a routine mammogram in August.
The mother-of-three had no symptoms but was referred for extra testing after doctors found something – and biopsies revealed the worst.
Steph, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, booked in for a double mastectomy.
While she was sad to say goodbye to her breasts, so before the operation a group of friends organized a ‘boob voyage’ party for her.
Pink themed party decorations, games, drinks and activities related to the chest, which Steph said was the perfect send off.
Steph, a branding consultant and content creator, said: “We already had a girls’ night in the books planned before I knew I needed surgery.
“So we had a party to celebrate saying goodbye to breasts.
“We played all the fun games – even ‘breasts vs butt’ where you have to work out whether what you see is cleavage or butt.
“It was all very pink and ‘boobalicious’ – the perfect chance for me to thank my breasts for their service.
“My breasts have always been a huge part of my femininity and it took a lot to process the loss of them.
“It helped me accept it and officially say goodbye.”
Steph’s doctors only found cancer in one breast – but because she’s young and has children, she didn’t want to take any chances.
What was found was an early cancer that had not yet spread – stage zero ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a cancer of the milk ducts.
She was classified as third grade as she was growing rapidly.
She decided “they come as a couple, so they go as a couple” and her double mastectomy was booked for October 23rd.
While Steph knew it was the best thing for her health, she was sad to say goodbye – as her breasts had nursed her three children and were “part of [her] identity.”
On October 12, Steph and her friends threw a breast-themed bash — and she had a blast.
In addition to games and decorations, they decorated mugs with breasts and drank from straws with breasts on them.
She said: “I think it’s a great idea to have a party to celebrate your body before a big life change.”
She went under the knife last week and has been recovering from major surgery ever since.
A post-operative biopsy revealed several spots of micro-invasive cancer which means she needs further surgery to remove a lymph node.
If this goes well, she will then be ready for reconstruction, using her own tissue from her lower abdomen.
Steph added: “I think it’s important to talk about women’s health and share your experiences.”
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