Breast Cancer and Breast Care - for Women and Men; Good Health Lesson 7

Breast Care - for your positive appearance after breast surgery

Both women and men can get breast cancer. It is vital to examine your breasts regularly for any untoward signs such as change in size, lumps, pain, discolouration, discharge from nipples. See your GP or Breast Care Clinic and get a mammogram - a procedure to check if there is any sign of breast cancer starting.
Please click into the following link if you are a woman to find how to examine your breasts;
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-check-for-breast-cancer.navId-397625.html

Please click into the following link if you are a man to find how to examine your breasts;
http://www.idph.state.il.us/menshealth/selfscreening.htm

Illness and treatment bring changes in their wake, including appearance related side effects.
After a mastectomy (removal of breast) and treatment, as a woman you may feel more comfortable not to have a flat area on your chest which is unequal in size to the appearance of your other breast.

It is great to know that there are options to bring you confidence with this issue.
After a mastectomy, a breast form can be fitted. These are forms made of materials which resemble the weight, movement and feel of the natural breast tissue.
There are partial breast forms (such as wedge or shell shapes) for those whose surgery has only altered the shape or size of the breast only slightly. This evens out the profile.

Full breast forms are available for those whose surgery has left a flat area on the chest.
The breast forms come in various sizes/ shapes and profiles. The colour of the breast form can be ordered to match your skin tone.
The breast forms are held against the chest by a fitted pocketed bra.
Alternatively, there are also contact breast forms which stick directly onto the skin and which do not require a special pocketed bra.

Mastectomy bras can be purchased, and they need to be well fitted.
Another option is to adapt an ordinary brassiere by sewing in a pocket.
A breast form can be placed in a pocketed nightie for wearing at night.
Swimsuits with pockets for comfort and confidence while swimming can be purchased.

If a bra is too constricting in feel after surgery, a pocketed cami top or cotton vest can be worn.

Roches has assisted women for many years with breast forms and guidance. Please click into the following link;
http://www.roches.ie/portfolios/prosthesis-breast-forms/#

*With thanks to www.dummies.com, Menshealth screening and Roches websites