Breast cancer survivor and director of a breast prosthesis importing company, Mary McAvoy, tells us what we need to know about breast prostheses.
A diagnosis of breast cancer arrives with an overcoat of confusion. Processing information, dealing with health professionals at the same time as prioritising emotions both of oneself and of others close is an unimaginable and unique process.
It begins with a threat to immortality and your being as a woman and in the quest for knowledge, words, explanations and well meaning support it is natural to feel anxious and alone. ”No one can truly understand how I feel” and the truth is that they cannot.
The treatment may be breast conserving surgery or loss of the breast (mastectomy) and if practical may involve a procedure of reconstruction.
Medical advice or personal choice may lead to just the mastectomy option being available at that time. A very normal reaction to the loss of a breast is sadness but to some there is relief that the cancer is being dealt with.
Partial or complete loss of a breast may lead to the wearing of a breast prosthesis to, in some way, help you feel like you did before breast cancer.
Information is available to ensure that this service is provided with integrity by a fully experienced and knowledgeable fitting professional. My company Medical Matters imports a leading German manufactured prosthesis of extremely high quality.
Fitting is usually five to six weeks post-surgery and if you are comfortable share your thoughts at this time. Expect your needs and feelings to be treated with sensitivity.
During the fitting process become involved. Ask questions because this is your time to understand. A suitable bra and the correct choice of prosthesis should give a natural result to replace what has been lost. A follow up to check that this is the case will ensure that you are happy or alert to the need for a further fitting.
The reaction to wearing a breast prosthesis can result in restoration of sense of self whilst moving towards emotional healing. Initial feelings of frustration and inconvenience, if any, are usually short lived once acknowledged as a way to quality of life and a new beginning.
Find out more about this issue on our breast prostheses page.
