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Numb. Not Silent.

What happens after mastectomy?

After mastectomy, many women lose the sensation of touch, temperature, or pressure in their chest. This occurs because the nerves are cut during surgery.1
It's time to break the silence surrounding chest numbness after mastectomy.

Talk to your doctor about options for
postmastectomy numbness.

Explore a treatment option
Experiences can vary from person to person.
This research was supported by Axogen, Inc., in partnership with NonFiction Research. Based on a survey of 300+ women post mastectomy; results are self-reported.
Numb.
Not Silent.
Logo Logo

What happens after mastectomy?

After mastectomy, many women lose the sensation of touch, temperature, or pressure in their chest. This occurs because the nerves are cut during surgery.1
It's time to break the silence surrounding chest numbness after mastectomy.

Talk to your doctor about options for postmastectomy numbness.

Explore a treatment option
Experiences can vary from person to person.
This research was supported by Axogen, Inc., in partnership with NonFiction Research. Based on a survey of 300+ women post mastectomy; results are self-reported.
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Sensation Loss What Are Women Saying? What Causes Numbness? Take Action
More than 100,000 women face mastectomy each year.2,3
A 2025 research report of over 300 women showed that, for 87%,1 the shock comes after mastectomy—a numbness in the chest that persists long after surgery.
What are women saying about

SENSATION LOSS?1

When women shared what life was like after a mastectomy, the same issues came up time and again.
Sensation loss is real1
Chest numbness can impact quality of life1
Many did not understand what to expect1
See more about what real women who experienced numbness after mastectomy really experience.
Review the report

What does life after mastectomy mean for most women?

It feels empty and weightless. Cold sometimes.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
According to a 2025 study of over 300 women who had a mastectomy,
87%
experienced numbness or lost the ability to feel touch, temperature change, or pressure in the breast and chest area1
According to a 2025 study of over 300 women who had a mastectomy,
87%
experienced numbness or lost the ability to feel touch, temperature change, or pressure in the breast and chest area1
It feels empty and weightless. Cold sometimes.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
I was severely sunburned because I didn't feel the burning sensation or temperature of the hot sun. I felt so stupid for even trying to do something normal.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
One study of women who lost sensation post mastectomy showed that
25%
of women who had numbness following mastectomy experienced an injury or close call related to chest numbness1
One study of women who lost sensation post mastectomy showed that
25%
of women who had numbness following mastectomy experienced an injury or close call related to chest numbness1
I was severely sunburned because I didn't feel the burning sensation or temperature of the hot sun. I felt so stupid for even trying to do something normal.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
It doesn't feel like my body. I can barely feel anything; most days are numb. It makes me want to cry.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
In a real-world survey of women who had numbness following mastectomy surgery,
58%
experienced sadness or depression1
72%
said numbness negatively impacted their sex life1
In a real-world survey of women who had numbness following mastectomy surgery,
58%
experienced sadness or depression1
It doesn't feel like my body. I can barely feel anything; most days are numb. It makes me want to cry.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
72%
said numbness negatively impacted their sex life1
If you are experiencing numbness after mastectomy, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
Explore a treatment option
Women are often prepared for surgery

but not for what comes next4-6

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Before surgery, patients may receive information about their procedure, but loss of sensation may not be discussed.4-6

Even if sensory loss is mentioned, it's rarely explained in a way that helps patients understand how much it can change their daily life.1

But after surgery, when the numbness persists, 67% of women find it difficult to talk about what's happened.1

After a mastectomy, I was just told that I would experience some discomfort, a little tingling that will eventually go away. But it hasn't.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
20%
of women said they were not warned about sensation loss1
After a mastectomy, I was just told that I would experience some discomfort, a little tingling that will eventually go away. But it hasn't.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
20%
of women said they were not warned about sensation loss1
I feel like I should be grateful to be alive.
Other people have expected me to move on already.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
67%
of women admit it's difficult to express their feelings around sensation loss1
I feel like I should be grateful to be alive.
Other people have expected me to move on already.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
67%
of women admit it's difficult to express their feelings around sensation loss1
All I feel is pain and the sensation of my foot falling asleep, but instead of it being my feet, it's my entire chest.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
In a 2025 review of women who had numbness after mastectomy,
57%
said they do not feel like the woman they used to be1
All I feel is pain and the sensation of my foot falling asleep, but instead of it being my feet, it's my entire chest.
woman who lost sensation following a mastectomy
In a 2025 review of women who had numbness after mastectomy,
57%
said they do not feel like the woman they used to be1

Why does a mastectomy cause chest numbness?

The nerves in the breast help the brain and body talk to each other.7,8 They let you feel touch, keep you safe from harm, and help you stay connected to your body.9,10 These nerves are critical to

Sensation

Feeling touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and pleasure9,11

Protection

Alerting you to potential harm, such as burns or injuries9,11

Body Awareness

Knowing where your body is in space and how it moves10,12
A mastectomy isn't just the removal of breast tissue; it's the loss of a body part, much like an amputation. The surgery severs nerves and leaves more than just physical scars. It changes how the chest feels. The numbness and emotional pain that follow can stay with you long after the scars have faded.7,10,11
Postmastectomy numbness may have treatment options—ask your doctor.
Explore a treatment option

IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT NUMBNESS

Our sense of touch protects, informs, and connects us. When it's gone, so much is lost. It's time for patients, caregivers, and doctors to talk about the impact sensation loss after a mastectomy has on daily life.
This research report brings to life the real experiences of millions of women who have lost sensation after mastectomy.
Read their stories
References: 1. Data on file. 2. United States Census Bureau. Sex by age. 2013. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://data.census.gov/table?q=B01001&y=2013 3. Steiner CA, Weiss AJ, Barrett ML, Fingar KR, Davis PH. Trends in bilateral and unilateral mastectomies in hospital inpatient and ambulatory settings, 2005–2013. HCUP Statistical Brief No. 201. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb201-Mastectomies-Inpatient-Outpatient.jsp 4. Heil J, Kuerer HM, Pfob A, et al. Eliminating the breast cancer surgery paradigm after neoadjuvant systemic therapy: current evidence and future challenges. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(1):61-70. doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2019.10.012 5. Coombs DM, Djohan R, Knackstedt R, Cakmakoglu C, Schwarz GS. Advances and current concepts in reconstructive surgery for breast cancer. Semin Oncol. 2020;47(4):217-221. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2020.05.007 6. Weichman KE, Hamill JB, Kim HM, Chen X, Wilkins EG, Pusic AL. Understanding the recovery phase of breast reconstructions: patient reported outcomes correlated to type and timing of reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2015;68(10):1370-1378. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2015.05.039 7. Hamilton KL, Kania KE, Spiegel AJ. Post-mastectomy sensory recovery and restoration. Gland Surg. 2021;10(1):494-497. doi:10.21037/gs.2020.03.22 8. Mei Y, Zhou B-L, Zhong D, et al. From sensation to regulation: the diverse functions of peripheral sensory nervous system. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1575917. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1575917 9. Frost C, Lesā R, Richardson S. The experience of women receiving mastectomy care in an acute surgical ward: a qualitative study. Nursing Open. 2024;11(10):e70053. doi:10.1002/nop2.70053 10. Smeele HP, Dijkstra RCH, Kimman ML, van der Hulst RRWJ, Tuinder SMH. Patient-reported outcome measures used for assessing breast sensation after mastectomy: not fit for purpose. Patient. 2022;15(4):435-444. doi:10.1007/s40271-021-00565-5 11. Bubberman JM, Van Rooij JAF, Van der Hulst RRWJ, Tuinder SMH. Sensory recovery and the role of innervated flaps in autologous breast reconstruction—a narrative review. Gland Surg. 2023;12(8):1094-1109. doi:10.21037/gs-23-40 12. Koralewska A, Domagalska-Szopa M, Łukowski R, Szopa A. Influence of the external breast prosthesis on the postural control of women who underwent mastectomy: cross-sectional study. Front Oncol. 2022;12:920211. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.920211
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