The supply and fitting of a temporary breast prosthesis

Keeton, Susan; McAloon, Lynne

doi:10.7748/ns.16.41.43.s3

Nursing Standard

2002

DOI: 10.7748/ns.16.41.43.s3

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The supply and fitting of a temporary breast prosthesis

Susan Keeton¹,

Lynne McAloon²

Abstract: The fitting of soft breast prostheses is an essential nursing duty on breast cancer surgery wards, but it appears to be performed on an ad hoc basis, without evidence-based guidelines. A diagnosis of breast cancer carries enormous implications for the patient in terms of physical and psychological health. For this reason, it is vital that nurses respond sensitively to these needs and assist women to cope with the changes in body image. This includes ensuring that knowledge underpins practice when fitting the s… Show more

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“…A woman is typically fitted in the immediate postoperative period with a temporary breast prosthesis constructed of a lightweight material such as fiberfill or foam. Six to eight weeks later, when the mastectomy wound has healed, she may be fitted for a permanent prosthesis (7,8).…”

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Long-Term Role of External Breast Prostheses After Total Mastectomy

Glaus¹,

Carlson²

2009

The Breast Journal

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After total mastectomy, many women choose to wear external breast prosthesis rather than undergo breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term satisfaction among external breast prosthesis wearers and the impact of satisfaction on prosthesis use. A questionnaire was designed to assess demographic information, prosthesis information provision, prosthesis use, and satisfaction with prosthesis. Fifty-nine women who had undergone total mastectomy without breast reconstruction completed the questionnaire. The majority of women (68%) were at least 5 years out from mastectomy. Approximately half (49%) of the women had received information about breast prostheses prior to mastectomy; 29% received information from the surgeon performing the operation. Frequent and prolonged prosthesis use was prevalent with 64% of participants reporting prosthesis use all the time, 6-7 days/week. Participants showed high rates (83%) of overall satisfaction. However, women who wore their prosthesis out in public only were less satisfied than more frequent wearers (50% versus 89%, chi(2) = 8.83, d.f. = 1, alpha = 0.05). Satisfaction increased over time, as women who were greater than 5 years out from mastectomy were more satisfied than women less that 5 years post-mastectomy (90% versus 67%, chi(2) = 4.43, d.f. = 1, alpha = 0.05). The vast majority of women are satisfied with their external breast prosthesis several years after mastectomy. Most women used their prosthesis all the time and overall satisfaction contributed to higher levels of prosthesis use. Given the long-term importance of external breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomy, a greater effort to inform patients about external breast prostheses prior to surgery is needed.

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confidence: 99%

Long-Term Role of External Breast Prostheses After Total Mastectomy

Glaus¹,

Carlson²

2009

The Breast Journal

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Breast cancer survivors’ wearable product needs and wants: a challenge to designers

LaBat¹,

Ryan

Sanden-Will

2016

International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Educati

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Conventional standard-sized bra with prosthesis or patient’s bra with customized hand-knitted external prosthesis after mastectomy: Mixed-methods evaluation of patients’ preferences

Ng,

Allen,

Chia

et al. 2023

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INTRODUCTION: In breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy without reconstruction, an external breast prosthesis could aid patients’ recovery, improve body image and confidence by helping to regain a symmetrical chest appearance when dressed. However, external breast prosthesis preferences among Asian breast cancer patients were not widely studied. We aimed to compare patients’ experience with the conventional commercially manufactured standard-sized (small, medium, large, extra-large) bra and prosthesis versus customized hand-knitted external breast prosthesis with patient’s bra after unilateral mastectomy at a tertiary hospital. This is the first such study in Asian women, to our knowledge. METHODS: In this prospective study, participants used the conventional bra-prosthesis followed by the customized one consecutively, each for at least 3 months before they were administered an identical questionnaire at 3 and 6 months respectively. The questionnaire assessed the patients’ experience with the prosthesis on the aspects of comfort, body image and satisfaction etc. Patients were also invited for in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Of 155 eligible patients, 148 patients participated with a response rate of 95.5%. 99 (67%) participants preferred the customized prosthesis, while 38 (25.7%) did not. 11 (7.4%) participants were undecided. Seventeen participants underwent in-depth interviews until data saturation on major qualitative themes was achieved. More patients experienced excessive sweating (p < 0.0001), greater discomfort (p = 0.0195) and higher rates of prosthesis dislodgement (p = 0.0269) with the conventional bra-prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Customized external breast prostheses could be an alternative to the conventional ones for breast cancer patients with mastectomy, with additional benefits of less sweating, more comfort and less dislodgement perceived.

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The supply and fitting of a temporary breast prosthesis

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Long-Term Role of External Breast Prostheses After Total Mastectomy

Long-Term Role of External Breast Prostheses After Total Mastectomy

Breast cancer survivors’ wearable product needs and wants: a challenge to designers

Conventional standard-sized bra with prosthesis or patient’s bra with customized hand-knitted external prosthesis after mastectomy: Mixed-methods evaluation of patients’ preferences

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