When my friend and former coworker Bri decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy at 26, I was floored—not just by the finality of her decision but by how boldly she took control of her own care.

The options presented to her felt limiting. So Bri turned to social media and discovered Drs. Anne and Ziv Peled, a married surgical team who pioneered a technique to preserve breast sensation after Anne’s own diagnosis left her wondering why better options didn’t exist.

To me, this story was about more than a medical breakthrough. It was larger than one woman’s journey. It was about agency, innovation, and redefining what patients are told to accept.

I pitched the concept as a hybrid documentary and educational piece and traveled with Bri to San Francisco for her one-year sensation test. Using a vérité style, I captured the raw, in-between moments as she reflected on her decision and the loss of her mother to breast cancer. In interviews, I leaned into the emotional, physical, and scientific layers of the story, focusing on a tone that balanced empathy and clarity. I then worked closely with the editor in post to shape a final piece that honors both emotional resonance and medical accuracy.

At its core, this film is about challenging the standard of care and showing what is possible when patients and doctors demand more.