Worrying about your appearance and wanting to look as good as you can are normal feelings. Some women think they are being vain or feel embarrassed if they ask about prostheses or wigs during treatment for cancer. But self-image and emotional well being plays an important role in the outcome of your treatment. So if wearing a headgear, wig or breast prostheses makes you feel better, then it’s well worth the effort!
Breast prostheses
A breast prosthesis is a false breast, which may or may not have a nipple. If you have decided against reconstruction, or are still in the process of making up your mind, you may want to find out about prosthesis.
All women who have had a mastectomy are strongly recommended to try out a properly fitted, weighted breast form. Before leaving the hospital, you should have had the opportunity to wear a much lighter, temporary prosthesis, while your scar is healing.
Within four to six weeks of surgery, you will be ready to be fitted for a permanent prosthesis. Some prostheses are made from silicone, and have the same weight, feel as a natural breast and last for two to four years. Silicone is waterproof and can be worn safely during most activities. There are also prostheses which are made from sponge or fibre.
Some prostheses can be attached directly to the skin with an adhesive strip. Others slip into a pocket in a special bra, which may be soft-cup or underwired. The bras are made with wider straps and a larger underband than regular bras, and are available in several different styles and colours. You will be able to wear most styles of clothing. Special swimming costumes are available, although you may still be able to wear an ordinary one.
Headgears and wigs
If your treatment includes chemotherapy, you may lose some or all of your hair. It is a good idea to think about what you would like to do before this happens. Some women find it helps boost their morale to have an attractive wig ready before chemotherapy starts – perhaps even to radically change their hair colour or style.
Alternatively you might also like to experiment with different hats and scarves.
Below are places where you can shop at for prostheses and wigs. They also stock items such as special swimwear and other post-surgery supplies.
AMANITA
Lot 1.06, 1st Flr, The Ampwalk,
218, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2162 8215
Fax: 03-2163 6172
Website: www.amanita.com.my
E-mail: [email protected]
PRIDE also displays a few samples of AMANITA’s breast prostheses and wig at our CBE Clinic in Section 5.
POSITIVE IMAGE
Hospital Putrajaya
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan Presint 7,
62250 Putrajaya
Fax: 03-8888 3098
For more information on Positive Image, please call Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia at 03-8946 0222.