A mum battling breast cancer threw a ‘boob voyage party’ ahead of a double mastectomy – including ‘booby bingo’, boob decorations and even a boob-shaped cake.
Steph Coffield, 41, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August after attending a routine mammogram.
The mother of three had no symptoms, but after doctors noticed something she was sent for additional testing – and a biopsy revealed the worst-case scenario.
Steph from Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, was booked for a double mastectomy.
Since she was sad to say goodbye to her breasts, a group of friends organized a ‘Boob Voyage’ party for her before the surgery.
The pink-themed party event featured owl-related decorations, party games, drinks and activities — which Steph said was a perfect send-off.
Steph, a name consultant and content creator, said: “We already had a girls’ night on the books, planned before I even found out I needed surgery.
“So we threw a party to celebrate saying goodbye to my boobs.
“We played all the fun games – even ‘Boobs vs. Butts’, where you have to figure out whether what you see is cleavage or a butt.
“It was all very pink and ‘booblicious’ – the perfect opportunity for me to thank my breasts for their service.
“My breasts have always been a big part of my femininity and the process of losing them took a lot of time.
“That helped me accept it and officially say goodbye.”
Steph’s doctors found cancer in only one breast – but because she’s young and has had children, she didn’t want to take the risk.
What was found was an early cancer that had not yet spread – stage zero ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), cancer of the milk ducts.
It was classified grade three because it was growing rapidly.
She decided that “they come as a couple, so they leave as a couple” and her double mastectomy was booked for October 23.
While Steph knew it was the best thing for her health, she was sad to say goodbye — because her breasts were breastfeeding her three children and “were part of the [her] Identification.”
On October 12, Steph and her friends threw an owl-themed party – and it turned out to be a treat.
As well as games and decorations, they decorated boob mugs and drank wine with straws with boobs on them.
She said: “I think it’s a good idea to have a party to celebrate your body before a big life change.”
She went under the knife last week and has since been recovering from major surgery.
A post-operative biopsy revealed some micro-invasive cancer spots, meaning she needed further surgery to remove the lymph nodes.
If it goes well, she will later undergo reconstruction using tissue from her lower abdomen.
Steph said: “I think it’s important to talk about women’s health and share our experiences.”
