Each year approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 20000 women receive mastectomies, surgical removal of the breast, in an effort to excise the cancer. While some women, elect breast reconstructive surgery, conservatively up to 75% of women, for various medical, financial and psychosocial reasons choose not to have implants. Without reconstructive surgery, women after a mastectomy must find a way to restore their silhouette as well as regain physiological symmetry. The process begins by choosing a Certified Fitter of mastectomy products.

Mastectomy products are specially designed and manufactured breast forms and bras. The first US breast form is dated 1889 for ‘Bosom Form’ however records also record women making their own ‘forms’ out of socks, corn, buckshot, cotton and rags. The traditional breast form made its debut in the United States circa 1940. The more popular silicone breast from is dated to 1960. Advances in technology and Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing have provided women with the quality and variety available today. The 21st century mastectomy form can be made of several different materials: a foam or ‘puff’ for immediate post-surgical use, spun cotton for casual use and varying weights and densities of silicone. A manufactured breast form comes in various shapes and sizes in order to more accurately fit a woman’s build, surgical site and skin tone. The proper choice in form size and shape provides a more physiological appropriate and a more aesthetically pleasing fit.

Unlike bras and ‘fashion falsies’, mastectomy bras, forms and accessories are recognized medical devices. They are prescribed by a surgeon or family physician, fit by a specially trained and Certified Fitter and are covered by most insurance policies. To become a Certified Fitter a person must take a nationally approved educational course that covers anatomy, physiology, basic cancer review, types of mastectomy surgeries and fitting techniques. A Fitter must also receive 500 hours of supervised residency or apprenticed training, and pass a national board exam. Certification also requires continuing education or CEU’s to ensure the Fitter is knowledgeable and familiar with the most recent advanced in breast care technology and fitting techniques. Why is medical certification necessary to fit a bra and form?

Can’t a woman receive the same treatment at a lingerie store? Maybe, many lingerie stores carry mastectomy products and employ Certified Fitters. However, choosing size and color is not all there is to a fitting. If a mastectomy form is improperly fit, real and possibly serious medical conditions may result. The human body is symmetrical. The reasons for breast reconstruction or using a form are the same, to restore physiological symmetry. If a form is an incorrect size, too large or too small, a woman’s body will be ‘uneven’. She may experience back stiffness, pain, TMJ, neck pain or headaches. If there is a substantial discrepancy between the form and the non-surgical side, more intense compensatory problems may arise including hip, joint, and gait problems. Fortunately, current technology and the availability of properly trained individuals allow the accurate fitting of mastectomy forms helping a woman regain her symmetry, shape and silhouette.