If you decide to delay reconstructive surgery, or not have it at all, then you might want to look at how you can create the appearance of a natural breast by using a prosthesis (for mastectomy) or breast form (for lumpectomy).

After surgery and before discharge from hospital, your breast nurse will talk to you about whether wearing a prosthesis may be appropriate for you. If you decide it is, she will provide you with a temporary soft prosthesis which can be used while the surgical area is healing. After healing (most likely five to six weeks post op), you may wish to obtain a permanent breast prosthesis.

What is a breast prosthesis?

A permanent breast prosthesis is a mould made of silicone-based material and it resembles the shape and weight of a breast. The prosthesis fits into a special bra.

Wearing a prosthesis can help with balance and posture and make you feel more confident about your appearance.

Before leaving hospital, your breast nurse will show you a permanent breast prosthesis and a mastectomy bra and provide information on wearing a prosthesis. She will advise how long you can wear the soft temporary prosthesis before a permanent one is recommended.

Many breast prostheses can be worn in water (salt or chlorinated) and most suppliers offer a range of special swimwear or can modify swimsuits to accommodate them. Today’s prostheses are well made, expertly fitted, comfortable to wear and very natural-looking.

Your first fitting

Fitting women with a breast prosthesis and bras requires special training. The suppliers of these products in New Zealand offer a wide range and their specialist fitters are capable, experienced, careful and considerate. Your breast nurse will give you information about specialist fitters in your area and when you are ready you can call to make an appointment with the fitter of your choice. You may like to think about taking someone with you.

A specialist fitter will attend to you in a comfortable, warm, quiet and private fitting room. She will guide you through the process of being fitted; show all options available to you; explain product care; and make you feel relaxed, at ease and well informed. If appropriate, the fitter will talk to you about lymphoedema and discuss the use and fitting of a preventive compression garment.

You are entitled for a subsidy for a breast prosthesis and the fitter can fill out this paperwork for you if you prefer.  If the cost of your products is over the subsidy limit then you will need to pay the balance.  The fitter will give you receipts for your products and it’s a good idea to put these somewhere safe so you can keep track of your subsidy and know when you are eligible to claim again.

Funding

The Government offers a subsidy for a prosthesis and other related products (for example special bras) after surgery for breast cancer, including lumpectomies, partial mastectomies, symmetry-restoring surgery, breast surgery for medical issues other than cancer (e.g. breast reductions where large breasts are causing medical issues), and preventative mastectomies (e.g. for those with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer). 

You must ensure that you ask your breast nurse or surgeon for the Ministry of Health subsidy letter before visiting your fitter.

You are entitled to the subsidy more than once. If for example you have a mastectomy and go back for more surgery six months later, you are entitled to the subsidy again as this is considered a separate surgery.

The current subsidy is $613.33 per side, rolling over every four years as long as you have not had breast reconstruction. The subsidy is administered by Sector Operations and is available to New Zealand citizens or those ordinarily resident in New Zealand. It will cover the cost of the following:

  • breast prosthesis or breast forms (these may include standard breast forms, swim form, foam filler, shell prosthesis and lumpectomy shells)

  • special bras to hold the breast prosthesis or breast forms, including swimwear and camisoles

  • surgical bras and normal bras

  • modifications to bras or swimwear to hold a prosthesis or breast form 

  • prosthetic nipples.

Click here for more information on the breast prosthesis subsidy. You can also call Sector Operations on 0800 855 066.

Suppliers and Stockists

ABC Breast Care NZ Ltd was set up by breast cancer survivor (thriver) Trudi Corbett, who has had two mastectomies five years apart. Trudi wants to help others by spreading the word about the breast prosthesis subsidy and offering women beautiful and comfortable bras. You can learn more and make an appointment with her by clicking here. Trudi supplies most lingerie shops in New Zealand, including Smith & Caughey, Ballantynes, and Lyn's Boutique. Please see the ABC website for a nationwide list of stockists. Trudi provides personalised fittings for women in Auckland and in some cases will do home visits (usually for ladies who are too unwell to travel); she also helps women in rest homes. Trudi understands what you are going through and says that during her fittings “generally there is lot of chatting, laughter and sometimes tears, both happy and sad, but mostly happy. Then we get around to the bras and prostheses!” Trudi will also do all the paperwork for you when applying for the subsidy. As she says, “the last thing you want to do is mess around with this stuff when you are going through breast cancer”.  

Breast Care Products stocks Anita and Amoena products. Nicola Mayos is their national mobile consultant and they have locations in Silverdale (north of Auckland) and Tauranga. Visit their website or call 0800 264 822 or 09 426 0128 to make an appointment.

Naturalwear has shops in Auckland, Milford, Hamilton and Wellington with a stockist in Tauranga and travels throughout the North Island. For more information, visit their website or call Naturalwear on 0800 612 612.

Smith and Caughey’s has been fitting women at their downtown Auckland store, 261 Queen St. for over thirty years. They feature a selection of prostheses and bras from the ABC (American Breast Care) line, and a wide range of other special bras and swimwear. Check out their website here or call for an appointment on (09) 916 0844.

Lyn's Lingerie in Lower Hutt stock a variety of breast prostheses and products. They have two fully qualified prothesis fitters. They are located at 45 Treadwell St, Naenae, Lower Hutt and can be contacted on (04) 567 1578 or email Lyns_lingerie@hotmail.com. Visit their website here.

Medical Matters is a Wellington based company markets a German product to selected stockists and specialist fitters. Company Director Mary McAvoy herself a breast cancer survivor may be contacted on 04 566 4660 or medicalmatters@xtra.co.nz for advice and information.