The majority of people are aware that the month of October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that there are a large number of organizations that promote the cause of breast cancer. Nevertheless, the procedure of breast reconstruction has received a very little amount of attention up until this time. On the 16th of October, the second annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, often known as BRA Day, will be held. Studies have indicated that women who are facing surgery for breast cancer are not always made aware of the alternatives that are available to them, despite the fact that women are becoming more knowledgeable about the identification of breast cancer. When I had surgery in 2010, the same thing happened to me, and more recently, the same thing happened to one of my childhood friends who had surgery in 2012. I know how ridiculous it sounds, but it’s the truth. Nipple-sparing mastectomy (also known as nsm) is something that I came into by chance while doing a search on the internet. My friend had heard the term prior to her surgery; however, when she asked her surgeon about it, he told her that they didn’t offer it, so she just went ahead with the standard surgery. She did not realize that nsm was offered at another hospital that was only thirty minutes away from her home at the time. When women are in shock after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, the majority of them won’t spend time doing research. I wanted to raise awareness about nipple-sparing mastectomy, so I penned my narrative, “losing the girls: my journey through nipple-sparing mastectomy and beyond,” and I also developed a website that listed some of the hospitals that provide it. My conviction is that if women are aware of the phrase and spend a minute looking at the photographs that can be viewed via my website, they will be in a far better position to make an informed decision in the event that they or someone they care about ever has to make a decision. The decision to become a nsm member is not one that every woman would make, nor is everyone eligible to do so. However, if women are unaware that this option exists, they will not have the opportunity to make a choice that is fully informed. Women have a right to be informed of all of their available choices. Take a few moments to look at the photographs that can be viewed on the website, and I believe you will agree with me that even a brief glimpse is enough to form an indelible impression. Read up about it at “what is nsm?” Simply expand the image by clicking on it. The list of hospitals that provide this option may be found by searching “where is nsm?”. email address: shirleyalarie@gmail.com Contact name: Shirley Alarie Learn more about nipple-sparing mastectomy by visiting http://shirleyalarie.com/ .