Questions every woman asks. Answers every woman deserves.

Straightforward, surgeon-vetted answers to your most pressing questions—from screening to treatment to what happens next. Clarity is confidence, and confidence is hope. Loren is here to help.

Why me? I’ve lived healthy—how could I get breast cancer?

I hear this question almost every day. The truth is, we don’t fully know why some women develop breast cancer and others don’t. Eighty-five percent of cases are “sporadic,” meaning there’s no family history.

Being a woman and aging are the biggest risk factors—two things we can’t control. What you can control is your health going forward. The good habits you’ve built—eating well and staying active—will help you fight and recover. This isn’t about blame. It’s about moving forward, together.

Do I have to decide on surgery right away?

No. Breast cancer is rarely an emergency. You deserve time to process, gather information, and make choices you feel confident about. I encourage patients to go home, sleep on it, talk to trusted people, and come back ready to make a decision that feels right. Your options—lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction—deserve thought, not panic.

Is mastectomy safer than lumpectomy? Will it stop cancer from coming back?

It’s a common misconception, but survival rates are the same. A lumpectomy followed by radiation is just as safe as mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer. Some women choose mastectomy for peace of mind, but that’s a personal decision—not a medical necessity. My role is to give you safe choices and support whatever path you take.

Do I really need annual mammograms if I don’t have a family history?

Yes. Most breast cancers occur in women with no family history. Annual screening should begin at 40, even for women at average risk. If you’re high risk due to genetics or family history, we start earlier and may add breast MRI. Mammograms save lives—please don’t skip them.

How do I cope with all the opinions from friends and family?

I call them the “chattering monkeys.” Everyone has advice, horror stories, or miracle cures. Despite typically “chattering monkeys” having only the best intentions, it can be overwhelming and unhelpful. Keep your circle small at first. Share only with people who lift you up and respect your decisions. This is your journey—protect your peace.

What should I know about reconstruction—or choosing not to have it?

Reconstruction is optional. Some women rebuild with implants or their own tissue; others choose to “go flat.” Neither choice is right nor wrong. It’s about how you want to feel in your own body. I always tell patients: this is your decision, not your partner’s, not society’s. You’re entitled to a matching set—or no set at all.

Will I lose my hair with chemotherapy?

Most likely, yes. And it’s okay to grieve that. Hair loss is a visible reminder of cancer, and it can feel devastating. Options like cold caps can help, but they require commitment and resources. If you do lose your hair, take control. Shave it, choose wigs or scarves, or rock your bald head. There is no wrong way to do this.

What can I do to prepare emotionally for treatment?

Start by reframing: you are a healthy person with breast cancer, not a victim. Lean on your support system, ask for help, and give yourself grace. This journey will test you, but you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had. Remember: you’re not alone—your team is with you every step.

Will I feel normal after surgery? Will I get sensation back?

After mastectomy, numbness is common. But we now have techniques to preserve or restore sensation, using nerve-sparing and grafting. Recovery takes patience and sometimes retraining your brain through touch. Many women do regain sensation over time—enough to feel “at home” in their bodies again.

How do I know when treatment is “over”?

Breast cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. Surgery, chemo, radiation, reconstruction—it can stretch across a year or more. The physical treatment ends, but emotional healing continues. Survivorship is a phase in itself, learning to live with gratitude, fear, and newfound strength. You may never forget this chapter, but you’ll write the next one on your own terms.
Bring Clarity to the Chaos