October 12th, 2026
By Kloie Bautz
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of early detection, treatment, research, and supporting those affected by breast cancer.
But there’s another part of the conversation that deserves attention: What happens after surgery?
For some patients, recovery doesn’t end when their surgical wounds heal. Nerve-related complications can have lasting effects, including chronic pain, numbness, and changes in everyday function.
At YaYa Scientific, we’re a small team working to advance surgical imaging technology. While much of our time is spent on engineering and research, we never want to lose sight of the people behind the challenges we’re working to address.
Sometimes, the most valuable thing we can do is listen.
Breast cancer-related surgeries, including mastectomies, lumpectomies, and reconstructive procedures, involve delicate nerves and surrounding tissues.
Although surgeons take care to minimize complications, nerve injuries can occur. For some patients, these injuries may lead to pain or changes in sensation that persist long after surgery.
Through our new Patient Experience Survey, we’ve begun hearing directly from individuals about the lasting impact of surgical complications.
One respondent, who reported experiencing pain for 16 years following surgery, shared:
“ I was left with extreme chronic pain that affected everything I did. Sleep was very disrupted. I had to basically sit on the couch with my arm supported by pillows for the first five years post surgery… Later I could do small outings and meet friends for short periods of time, generally relying on a support pillow and special padding under the arm to lessen the chronic burning pain.”
— Patient Experience Survey Respondent
Another respondent, who reported experiencing pain for approximately two and a half years following surgery, shared their own perspective:
“I was later told that a nerve had been cut during surgery… I went through about six months of physical therapy trying to improve the movement and strength, but I still have these problems years later… I expected pain while I was healing, but I did not understand that nerve damage could leave me with permanent pain, weakness, limited movement, and changes to something as basic as how I sleep.”
— Patient Experience Survey Respondent
Everyone’s recovery is different, but these stories remind us that the effects of surgery can extend far beyond the operating room.
For our team, hearing these experiences reinforces the importance of understanding not just surgical outcomes, but how those outcomes affect patients’ everyday lives.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to recognize not only those undergoing breast cancer treatment but also those continuing to navigate its effects years later.
One thing we’ve learned through our work at YaYa Scientific is that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. We collaborate with researchers and clinical professionals who bring valuable perspectives to the table, but we also believe there’s tremendous value in hearing directly from patients.
A surgeon may describe the challenges encountered during a procedure, while a patient may share what living with a surgical complication feels like years after the fact.
Both perspectives matter.
That’s why we recently launched our Share Your Story initiative, inviting patients and surgical professionals to share their experiences and help us better understand the realities of surgical care.
To the individuals who have already taken the time to share their stories with us: Thank you!
As a small team, we genuinely appreciate your willingness to share something so personal. Your stories remind us that behind every clinical challenge is a person whose experiences deserve to be heard.
While our work extends beyond breast cancer-related procedures, these experiences reinforce the importance of keeping patients and their needs at the center of medical innovation.
Have you experienced lasting complications following surgery? Are you a surgeon or clinical professional with insights into surgical challenges and patient outcomes?
We’d love to hear your perspective.
Share Your Story with YaYa Scientific
