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Our Managing Breast Cancer Experts

Dr. Marisa C. Weiss

Dr. Marisa C. Weiss

Oncologist, author and founder of Breastcancer.org

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Lillie Shockney

Lillie Shockney

Registered nurse, two-time breast cancer survivor and author

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Dr. Peter Pressman

Dr. Peter Pressman

Surgical oncologist and author

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Q&A

If you have questions about this change, you're in the right place. Our editors, experts, and community of change optimists have answers!

SusanMN

Question:Telling your young kids about your breast cancer

In 2006 I underwent a bilateral mastectomy when my kid were just 2 and 7 years old. They have seen my body go through numerous changes from mastectomy to reconstructive surgery and everything in between. At the time we told them I had some bad germs that needed to be cut out and that I would be fine. They seemed to accept that explanation. Are there things I should be talking with them about now or is it OK to put it all behind us until they are older and might want to know more?

Asked by SusanMN on 1/7/09 Answer»