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Last updated : 16th October 2023
Like many ladies going through a mastectomy I wanted to remember what my boobs looked like before going through surgery.
My sister told me about something a friend of hers did before her operation. She had a ‘breast cast’ made – a plaster cast memento of her boobs in their original, glorious state. She sent me a photo, and although I wasn’t sure if I could do the same, I did think it looked beautiful.
When I spoke to a few friends and family about this, I got very mixed opinions. Some thought it was a brilliant idea, and others thought it was downright weird. I didn’t have much time to decide what to do, but wanted to find out more. I should point out that I’m really not an exhibitionist; I have never been topless on holiday, and am not even a fan of low cut tops!
Learning how to make a breast cast
The first thing I did is what everyone does these days when they want to find out how to do something; I looked on YouTube. Yes, it’s not just for fixing your microwave or learning how to thread a sewing machine – you can find out how to make a breast cast! This video was great and we followed these steps to make our own cast.
Then I went down an Instagram rabbithole, searching for #breastcast, where I found some incredibly beautiful, decorated, plaster-casted boobs! Some were created for ladies in my position, but others were just a memento or a piece of art.
Hiring a professional to make a breast cast
There are specialists who will provide this service, like Casting By MJ from the Bronx in New York. One of his beautiful casts is below, and this is his Instagram feed to see more.
I also found a US-based charitable organisation, keep-a-breast.org, which was founded by artist Shaney Jo Darden who wanted to capture the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer when a close friend was diagnosed. Today, just one of the services they offer is to provide kits for ladies to make their own casts before surgery, in return for a donation. Shaney Jo has kindly allowed me to share some of the awesome casts which she and her team created. They were painted by well known artists and then auctioned to raise much-needed funds. You can see the full gallery here, on the Keep A Breast website.
So, armed with these inspiring designs I decided to do one of my own. I needed a plastering partner so roped in my husband who prepared for this challenge by watching the Keep A Breast video of Katy Perry having her boobie bust made for the charity – it was a tough job but he was up to it…
Making my own breast cast
We then locked ourselves away in the bathroom and it was great fun, a real bonding experience! We worked out between us the best way to do it, and in around half an hour had our own breast cast to keep for posterity.
I realise that this is the place where I should share the final article with you, but no matter how I photographed it, with strategic vases and items in front, there was no getting away from the fact that it looked just like my breasts, and I’m not going to share them with the world! Maybe I will once they’re painted, we will see…
I would highly recommend making a breast cast, even if you’re not facing a mastectomy! Why not? It’s an inexpensive craft project, costing less than £15, potentially less, depending how large you are. You don’t need to have it on show necessarily, and mine is hidden away in the spare room at the moment. Who knows, I may share it with the world one day if I’m feeling brave!
Tips for making a breast cast
You don’t need to be an expert to make a breast cast, so follow these tips for the best result:
- Use plenty of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) over the whole area to be plastered and then it will come off easily
- Protect your floor (I used an old oilcloth tablecloth but you could use a large towel)
- Don’t go too far around your back otherwise it’s hard to ‘escape’ the plaster once it has set.
- Cut the plaster into different sized strips before applying
- Snip the areas of excess plaster between the cleavage to make a smooth finish
- Use three layers to make a strong cast
- Leave it a good 10-15 minutes after applying the last piece, to ensure it’s dry
- After it’s dry you can carefully sand it down to make it smooth using sandpaper, and use powdered plaster of Paris to fill in any gaps
Here is a link to some plaster of Paris rolls on Amazon and you may also need to buy some petroleum jelly.
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Making my breast cast proved to be an extremely positive experience and somehow made the operation seem less daunting. I’m sure I will have dark days after the surgery but know it will help me to have a beautiful reminder of how I looked beforehand. I would highly recommend it to any ladies going through the same procedure, and you’ve got nothing to lose. If you don’t like it then you can simply throw it away, but it’s something you can’t recreate after the event. It’s a ‘now or never’ thing…
Of course, you can make a cast of any body part! They are very popular in pregnancy, when you can create a unique memory before your baby arrives.
HAVE YOU GOT LIFE OR CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE?
If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to sort it out. Unfortunately I didn’t have critical illness cover which would have given me a handy payout and taken the pressure off, financially. I do have good life insurance cover though as I think it’s vital to protect my family if the worst were to happen. You can always speak to the really helpful people at LifeSearch, the UK’s biggest life and protection insurance broker, and loved by Martin ‘MoneySavingExpert’ Lewis. Use this link to get in touch with them and they’ll help guide you through the process – and will also know that you’re from the Diary Of A Detour website.
Read more
Read more about my cancer journey :
– My cancer diagnosis
– My first breast cancer surgery
– What happens at a chemo session?
– My chemo half time analysis
– My chemo side effects
– Making a breast cast
– My mastectomy
– My radiotherapy treatment
– 10 Ways to help someone with cancer
– Am I in remission?
– What is Scar Work?
– My breast reconstruction surgery
– Find travel insurance after cancer
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Your positivity never ceases to amaze me?
Thank you so much for reading and your kind comment… x
I think you are a real inspiration to every woman battling with breast cancer and I love reading your blogs.
I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve done your cast and yes it may not be to everyone’s taste but hey ho you do what’s right for you.
I have a very dear friend in America who’s been battling it for years and has had a full mastectomy. She’s just amazing and I came across her in a group of women all sharing stories of themselves and loved ones.
It’s people like you that really put the ‘F’ into cancer and I totally admire you.
You go girl xxx
Thai you so much! I strongly be,Ive that sharing my experiences opens up the conversation and makes it easier to talk about. So many of us will go through this and if I can help anyone then it’s worthwhile.
I’m looking forward to seeing the final finished item sometime – I bet it will look amazing all blinged up – angelic theme? Perhaps it can have its own set of wings?? 😉
It could do! Will share with you once it’s complete 🙂
I got here by looking up Scooter rallies and which ones I could get away with going to without interfering with family life too much and was then intrigued with your story as I am sure our paths have crossed in the past.
All I can say is wow you are an amazing lady.
Hi Charlie, thank you so much! I’m glad you found this site, do check back for more updates.
This is fabulous and I’m sure your boobs will be swamped in bling. I know it’s going to be tough but I’m so pleased you done this.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing with us and helping us understand breast cancer. Your open and brave sharing demystifies the process and in my opinion somehow reduces the cancer’s power…
Your positive energy, accompanied by a beautiful smile truly is inspirational. What a woman you are!
Thank you so much Lana, you’re so kind! I do hope that my posts open up the conversation and make it easier for people to talk about cancer. Thanks for reading!
That YouTube video is my sister making my breast cast! You can read my whole story at:
http://maxedoutminivan.blogspot.com/?m=1
The series begins on Jan 19, 2018.
Wow, thanks for finding me Leslie! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Ali,
Thank you for sharing this. I’ll have Brest surgery in a week time and I’d love to do my breast cast.
Just a couple of practical questions:
Do you think I would be able to the cast by myself and is 1 bag of bandage enough?
Thank you x
Hi Grazia! I think you can have a go and do it yourself – you’ve got nothing to lose! It depends how big you are really as to how much bandage you need. I might get two packs just to be on the safe side? Good luck! x
These are gorgeous! Thanks for walking through the DIY process <3