An Autoethnographic Exploration of My Breast Cancer Journey

Egg Freezing, Childfreeness, and “Going Flat”

Bibliographic Data

ID21616573
AuthorsYolinliztli Pérez-Hernández (0000-0002-7483-7108, University of Bern, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume39
Issue11
Pages2414-2417
Publication date2024-09-18
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1041-0236 • E-ISSN: 1532-7027
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10410236.2023.2267278
PMID37817311
OpenAlexW4387516290
LanguageEN
References cited21

In this essay, I discuss my personal experience with breast cancer, exploring three intertwined choices: declining medical egg freezing, choosing not to bear children, and opting out of breast reconstruction after a double mastectomy. Through autoethnography, I narrate how being an immigrant Latina cisgender lesbian in Europe influenced my decision-making processes. Challenging common assumptions about the invariably negative emotional impact on survivors of bilateral mastectomy and infertility, I emphasize the importance for me of minimizing additional pain by eliminating "unnecessary" medical interventions. Likewise, I address concerns about body changes, bodily integrity, and the impact of a positive genetic mutation on my family. My aim is to shed light on knowledge production gaps by sharing my journey from a minority perspective

Autoethnography · Breast cancer · Cancer · Lesbian · Mastectomy · Psychiatry · Psychoanalysis · Psychological intervention · Psychotherapist · Sociology · BRCA gene mutations in cancer · Computer Science · Family Support in Illness · Gender Studies · Medicine · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies

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