| Question |
Answer |
| After
breast surgery am I at risk for lymphedema? |
You
may be at risk if lymph node dissection or radiation is
involved. Preventative tips are available. Contact
Women’s Health Boutique. |
| Are
external silicone breast enhancers safe? |
External
silicone is safe. You simply tuck the enhancer into your
bra to increase your overall cup size or maximize cleavage.
You’ll love wearing them with clingy sweaters, low-cut
dresses and even your swimsuit! They look and feel like
real breast tissue — even taking on your body temperature. |
| Are
prostheses and mastectomy bras covered by insurance? |
Generally,
yes. In fact, Medicare allows two prostheses per breast
every two years based on medical necessity, or a lightweight
form every six months. Medicare also allows the purchase
of six bras each year, but no more than four bras at one
time. We suggest you contact your insurance company and
ask what is allowed by your policy, especially if you
are insured in a managed care plan. |
| Can
I wear a regular fashion bra with a weighted breast prosthesis? |
Yes,
but it is important to be measured and fitted by a professional
breast prosthesis fitter. Specialty pocketed bras are
available to help hold a breast form in place. |
| Could
I develop breast cancer? |
All
women can develop breast cancer. The risks increase with
age. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
Although rare, some men can develop it too. |
| Does
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase the risk of
breast cancer? |
Unless
you have a strong family history of breast cancer, the
risk of breast cancer is outweighed by the decreased risk
of heart disease. Although women are more frightened of
developing breast cancer, the truth is that women are
much more likely to die of heart disease (such as heart
attacks and strokes). HRT may decrease this risk. |
| How
can I find breast cancer early? |
For
women with no symptoms:
• Starting at age 20, do a breast
self-exam (BSE)
every month after your period
is over. If you have
reached menopause and no longer
have a period,
do a BSE every month.
• Have
your doctor do a breast exam every three
years between the ages of 20
and 40.
• After
age 40, get a mammogram every year.
Call 800-ACS-2345 to find out
where you can get
a mammogram.
For
women with symptoms or a strong family history:
•
Consult your doctor to see if a more aggressive
program
for detection is appropriate. For more
FAQs, visit the American
Cancer Society Breast
Cancer
FAQ and the National
Alliance of Breast
Cancer
Organizations Fact Sheets. |
| How
soon after surgery should I be fitted with a permanent
external prosthesis? |
Your
doctor will tell you when you are ready to be fitted.
The chest wall has to heal and your soreness decrease,
which usually takes between two and eight weeks. In the
mean time, you can wear a soft cotton garment that will
not hurt your incisions and will hold your drains. |
| I
have large breasts and my bra straps dig into my shoulders.
What can I do? |
An
improperly fitted bra can cause the weight of your breasts
to fall on your shoulders. This is often the result when
the bandeau of the bra fits too loose. Look for a bra
with wider straps (an inch to an inch and a half). Wider
straps help handle the weight of your breasts without
digging into your skin. Another tip: select a bra with
padded shoulders or purchase bra strap pads. The extra
padding gives you extra support. Contact the Women’s
Health Boutique nearest you for
a fitting appointment. |
| I
just had a mastectomy. What can I wear until my chest
wall heals enough to wear a post-mastectomy bra? |
Women’s
Health Boutique offers a 100% cotton, post-surgical garment
designed specifically to provide maximum comfort and protection
against your incision area. This garment includes a foam
prosthesis that gives you shape and holds the surgical
drain. |
| If
I am small breasted or have had partial surgery such as
a lumpectomy, do I still need a weighted breast prosthesis? |
Yes.
Even if you are small-breasted, you should replace the
weight. You will also need the weighted breast prosthesis
to help hold your bra in place around the rib cage. |
| I’ve
recently had a mastectomy. How often should I replace
my prosthesis? |
Women’s
Health Boutique offers a free evaluation of your current
bra and prosthesis. Weight gain or loss of 10 pounds or
more usually requires a new fit. You may want to replace
your current prosthesis with a newer, lighter weight form
or an attachable style. Most silicone prostheses are guaranteed
by the manufacturer for two years from the date of purchase.
If air bubbles appear in the silicone or the skin of the
form begins to separate from the silicone, it is time
for a replacement. |
| What
are my options after breast surgery? |
You
have three alternatives: wearing an external breast form,
external breast reconstruction, or surgical breast reconstruction.
Contact Women’s
Health Boutique for free brochures on external breast
reconstruction. |
| What
are the chances of survival from breast cancer? |
A
patien’s chances for survival are better if the
cancer is found early. According to the American Cancer
Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer
is:
• 94 percent if the cancer has
not spread
• 73 percent if it has spread
to nearby organs
• 18 percent if it has spread
throughout the body |
| What
do I wear when I swim? |
Mastectomy
swimsuits have pockets to hold the breast forms. Foam
and silicone swim forms are designed to be worn in the
hot tub, pool or ocean. |
| What
factors would make me at higher risk for breast cancer? |
You
would be at higher risk if one or more of these factors
describes you:
• If you have family members who
have had
breast cancer (“family
history”)
• If you are a smoker
• If you are overweight
• If you have never had children
• If you had your first child
after you were
30 years old
• If you had your first period
before age 12
• If you did not go through menopause
before age 55
• If you were on the birth control
pill more than
10 years
• If you had radiation therapy for
Hodgkin’s Disease |
| What
is a breast form? |
A
breast form is a breast prosthesis worn inside a bra to
closely simulate the natural contours of your own breast.
Forms are made from silicone, foam or fiberfill. |
| Why
do I need a weighted breast form after breast surgery? |
A
properly fitted breast prosthesis helps replace the weight
lost after breast surgery. When a natural breast is removed,
the body is no longer in balance and will compensate with
a slight curving of the spine and “shoulder drop.”
Both conditions may lead to chronic lower back and neck
pain. |
| Why
do I need to be custom-fitted for a breast form? |
Every
woman, every surgery and every breast is different, so
the fitting is very individualized. There are hundreds
of shapes and sizes available. Our certified mastectomy
fitters are specially trained to help you find just the
right form. |
| Will
my skin need special attention after breast surgery? |
Yes,
your skin needs deep moisturizing to prevent dryness and
sensitivity, and to promote healing, especially if you
undergo radiation or chemotherapy treatment. |
