Breastlessness
What To Do When You Don't
Know What To Do
by M. Nicole Bryant
Breastlessness is a moving
account of one woman’s
physical and emotional
confrontation with the most
dreaded of all diseases
affecting women – Breast
Cancer. It provides others
with a roadmap to help them
navigate through the maze of
confusion after such a
diagnosis and the tools to
empower them.
Part One – “Breastlessness”
is the personal story of the
author’s “feelings about her
breast/body before, during,
and after breast cancer
diagnosis.” The story
commences in her early
teens, and recounts the
feeling of inadequacy she
has when she compares her
breasts with the of her more
generously endowed sisters
and cousins and continues
throughout her adulthood
until her diagnosis. It
chronicles her journey of
faith, healing, and
empowerment after her
diagnosis.
Part Two – “What To Do When
You Don’t Know What To Do,
provides valuable and
essential information for
women on all aspects of
breast cancer. It is a
resource/self-help guide
that explains in detail
various aspects of the
disease. Especially worth
reading are the sections on
the myths of breast cancer,
breasts and the changes they
undergo with age,
self-examinations, screening
and warning signs, tests for
establishing the presence of
cancer, types of cancer
treatment, and breast
prosthesis/reconstruction.
There is also a chapter for
men, addressing those
affected with breast cancer
as well as those traumatized
by the suffering of their
loved ones.
List Price $15.99
About the Author
M. Nicole Bryant was born in St. Louis,
Missouri and raised in East Carondelet, Illinois where she currently
resides. She attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville,
before moving to Oakland, California. She is an 11 year survivor
whose diagnosis propelled her into a life of breast cancer advocacy
and awareness. Her passion in life is to educate and inform women,
particularly women of color, of the importance of taking a
pro-active role in their health care. Her mission is to help women
(and men) cope with the challenges that such a diagnosis brings and
help them understand that early detection and treatment is one of
the keys to survival. She has taken her message of hope, faith, and
empowerment everywhere from prisons to churches. Her accomplishments
include:
- Member, Charmaine Chapman Society of the United Way, (2003 - 2006)
- Honoree, National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Ethele Scott
Section, East St. Louis, IL, February 2006
- Honorary Chairperson, American Cancer Society’s 2005 Relay For
Life, East St. Louis Chapter, July 2005
- Honoree, Top Ladies of Distinction (East St. Louis Chapter) –
“Women of Courage” Who Through It All…Keep The Faith, April 2005
- Reach To Recover Volunteer, American Cancer Society (ACS)
- Certified “Special Touch” Beast Health Facilitator, American
Cancer Society
- Guest speaker, facilitator, and assisted in the coordination of
numerous breast cancer workshops, conferences, and served on several
tasks force. These include:
¨ American Cancer Society, Maryville, IL
¨ St. Clair County Health Department, Belleville, IL
¨ CURVES, Cahokia, IL
¨ Kaiser Hospital, Oakland, CA
¨ Alameda County’s Early Detection Program , Oakland, CA
¨ Peralta Community College District Series, Oakland, CA
¨ West Oakland Health Center, Oakland, CA
¨ Sisters For Positive Change (Mills College), Oakland, CA
¨ A Turning Point, San Rafael, CA
¨ Alta Bates Hospital Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, Berkeley,
CA
¨ Department of Energy’s Federally Employed Women, Oakland, CA
¨ Contra Costa County Division of Corrections, Richmond, CA
¨ Numerous churches and community organizations.
- Published Articles – “Breast Reconstruction and Body Image”;
"Letting Go of the Ghosts of My Breasts Past"
- Featured in ABC TV News Segment, (Channel 7, San
Francisco/Oakland, CA), “Breast Cancer: Beating The Odds,” 1997
- Performed in “Art Rages Us”, San Francisco, CA, – Breast Cancer
From 8 to 80, 1998
- Member, St. Louis Publishers Association
- Member, PMA, The Independent Book Publishers Association
Ms. Bryant is available for speaking engagements.
You may contact her at
mnbryant@breastlessness.com
