'I don't have breasts, so why do I have to pretend I do?': US star Kathy Bates reveals she's proud of her flat-chest following double mastectomy and has refused reconstruction or prostheses

  • Kathy has never had a reconstruction after a double mastectomy 5 years ago
  • The Titanic star, 69, has ditched breast prostheses unless needed for a film role
  • 'That stuff isn't important,' she said about her breasts in interview with WedMD
  • The twice-cancer survivor says she never wants to see the operating table again

By Claudia Tanner For Mailonline

Published: 09:49 EDT, 11 July 2017 | Updated: 14:15 EDT, 11 July 2017

Veteran US actress Kathy Bates has revealed she refused to have a breast reconstruction following her double mastectomy five years ago – and she is proud of her flat chest.

The Oscar-winner – who also battled ovarian cancer 14 years ago – has said that she does not want to return to the operating table again.

The 69-year-old has breast prostheses but only wears them if she is required to for a film role. 

'I've joined the ranks of women who are going flat, as they say,' she told WebMD.

'I don't have breasts, so why do I have to pretend like I do? That stuff isn't important.

'I'm just grateful to have been born at a time when the research made it possible for me to survive. I feel so incredibly lucky to be alive.' 

US star Kathy Bates has spoken out about her health battles including lymphoedema

US star Kathy Bates has spoken out about her health battles including lymphoedema

Best known for her portrayal of an obsessed fan in 'Misery', Kathy also opened up in the interview about her battle with lymphoedema.

The debilitating and potentially disfiguring condition was brought on by her breast cancer surgery in 2012 and has left her with excess fluid collecting in her arms. 

The Titanic star has to wear a compression sleeve to minimize swelling.

'I said no to more surgery'

The American Horror Story actress has previously shared why she was not keen to go under the knife for a reconstruction.

She told Coping Cancer magazine in 2014: 'At the last minute I decided I was feeling so good that I didn’t want to go back to surgery, to bed rest, to being on pain medication.

'I realized that I already had what I wanted most, which was to be happy, have energy, work, be with friends, and live life.' 

In the latest interview, it is clear her position still hasn't changed.  

The Oscar winner, who starred in Stephen King's Misery, had a double mastectomy in 2012

The Oscar winner, who starred in Stephen King's Misery, had a double mastectomy in 2012

The Memphis-born star suffers swollen arms

The Memphis-born star suffers swollen arms

Side effect of surgery 

Kathy has lymphedema as the result of doctors removing 19 lymph nodes during her breast cancer surgery.

She told WebMD how she remembers 'getting hysterical' in the hospital when she noticed strange pains in my hands and discovered that her arms were swelling.

She knew right away what it was as her mother had had a radical mastectomy and also suffered from from the same condition.

The body's lymphatic system transports a clear watery fluid called lymph, which contains infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

When this fluid doesn't drain normally - which can occur when lymph nodes are removed or damaged after cancer surgery – swelling can happen.

As many as 10 million people suffer from lymphedema in the US alone.  

There's no cure for lymphedema, but congestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) can control systems.

DLT includes compression bandages, skin care, exercises and specialised massage techniques. 

Kathy said she felt 'like a boa constrictor' with her arms in the tight sleeves, which she had to use twice a week.

She said losing weight has has helped considerably, but she still has to control her salt and alcohol intake, stay out of the heat and avoid picking up heavy items or he symptoms can emerge,

Fighting for awareness 

Today, Kathy manages the disease with regular visits to her doctor.

She has since become a spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), so she can help others suffering with the condition.

She has also spoken out about the need for doctors to be better educted about lymphedema.

She said she has been told by doctors associated with the network that in four years of medical school 'future doctors spend a total of 15 to 30 minutes on the lymphatic system'. 

WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA? 

Lymphoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. 

It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs.

It develops when the lymphatic system doesn't work properly. 

The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid. 

Lymphoedema is caused by a problem with the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body. The main functions of the lymphatic system are helping fight infection and draining excess fluid from tissues.

There are two main types:

  • Primary lymphoedema – caused by faulty genes that affect the development of the lymphatic system.
  • Secondary lymphoedema – caused by damage to the lymphatic system as a result of an infection, injury, cancer treatment, inflammation of the limb, or a lack of limb movement.

It's important that lymphoedema is identified and treated as soon as possible. If it isn't treated, it can get worse.

Source: NHS Choices 

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