An innovative mastectomy bra has been launched in Cape Town to help patients in a state hospital get access to affordable but comfortable undergarments.
For those not familiar with the item, a mastectomy bra features fabric pockets inside the bra cups, which can hold a breast prosthesis in place after a mastectomy surgery.
This supportive, wireless bra is available in 36 sizes so no woman is left feeling unsupported.
The Cape peninsula branch of Reach for Recovery (RFR) non-profit organisation developed this pilot project along with local lingerie company, Thursdays Lingerie and Swimwear.
Thursdays used their supportive cape everlasting wireless bralette pattern as a baseline for the mastectomy bra.
After consultation with RFR, it was then developed into the Carla Mastectomy Bra, named in honour of their regional chair, Carla Lind.
Lind said patients in South African state hospitals didn’t have the luxury of shopping at a boutique for a mastectomy bra.
“Many, in fact, most, patients in state care don’t have access to either the proper bra or the correct size, which is vital for supporting the external prosthesis,” she said.
“This is why we started offering the subsidised mastectomy bra for R200,”
At retail stores across the country, a mastectomy bra costs around R1 500.
Owner of Thursdays Lingerie, Shona Macdonald said she understood RFR’s mission to help breast cancer survivors feel comfortable with their bodies, post-surgery.
“That resonated with my initial reasons for launching Thursdays Lingerie,” she said.
“Designing a bra that can give these women a sense of self-pride, allowing them to recognise themselves in the mirror and feel beautiful in public spaces, is so meaningful.”
Macdonald said the design of a mastectomy bra was far more complex than that of regular underwear.
“An internal stretch mesh layer is added that allows the prosthesis to easily slide in and be kept firmly in place during wearing,” she said.
“The bra features a wide under band that helps the bra to stay in place. The straps on a mastectomy bra are wider than those on a standard bra. “
Lind said the company wanted to assist women who rely on public health care to regain their confidence following diagnoses, operations, and treatment.
“A breast prosthesis and a proper fitting bra is an important step in recovery, especially for those women from communities where there is still a stigma attached to a cancer diagnosis,” she added.