Julia Mercer, from Whitstable, had treatment from specialists at the William Harvey Hospital after a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.
Thanks to funding from East Kent Hospitals Charity, another clinician has completed the training, meaning more patients will be able to benefit from the service.
Julia, 67, said: “I felt embarrassed of my body after my diagnosis but the tattoo made me feel normal again.
“I had a scar as well and the team tattooed that to look like normal skin.
“It was such a wonderful experience and the team were marvellous; I never felt embarrassed.
“Breasts and hair are so important to a woman’s identity, and I was lucky that I was able to use a cold cap during my chemotherapy treatment so I didn’t lose my hair.
“After the reconstruction I could hide the fact I’d had breast cancer but as soon as I looked in the mirror it was obvious. Now you can’t tell at all and I feel so much more confident.”
The mum of two worked as a bra fit expert and technical manager for Marks and Spencer, travelling around the world to train colleagues in fitting.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer after experiencing pain when lying on one side.
She said: “I had no lump or anything, so I really didn’t think it would be cancer, but my GP referred me on the urgent pathway and they found a long lump in my breast.
“I couldn’t quite believe it. But you are swept along on a wave of support and looked after so well.
“Until you experience something like this, you don’t realise how wonderful the NHS is, I felt so cared for at every single appointment.”
Julia needed chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as the mastectomy, so it took almost three years before she was ready for the reconstruction. During the surgery, a section was taken from her hip to form a nipple, but it was skin-coloured.
She was since diagnosed with lung cancer, which was detected during one of her regular scans, and had surgery to remove a third of her lung.
She said: “This one was harder to recover from, but I am lucky it was picked up very early and they were able to remove a big enough section so I did not need any other treatment this time.
“I am a positive person, and I don’t like negativity, so I focus on the good – it is possible to regain lung capacity with exercises, and again I have had fantastic treatment from the NHS.”
East Kent Hospitals Charity provided almost £2,000 to fund the two-day specialist training course in nipple areola micro pigmentation. Feedback from other patients reveals it is a valued final step in their recovery, and allows them to feel like their old selves, before their diagnoses. It takes several treatments to restore a natural-looking nipple, which is colour-matched by the expert clinicians to a woman’s original breast.
Rachel Jenner, head maxillofacial prosthetist said: “We are incredibly grateful to the charity. This support allows us to continue to provide safer, more advanced treatments and achieve natural, restorative results for our breast patients.”
East Kent Hospitals Charity also funded £75,000 for cold caps for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
