Undergarment needs after breast cancer surgery: a key survivorship consideration

An important aspect of breast cancer survivorship is finding comfortable undergarments that work for women’s post-treatment bodies. Patients who undergo mastectomy, including both those who do and do not receive reconstruction, need bras that can accommodate new breast shape, size, and feel, as well...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2020-08, Vol.28 (8), p.3481-3484
Main Authors: Nicklaus, Krista M., Bravo, Karen, Liu, Chi, Chopra, Deepti, Reece, Gregory P., Hanson, Summer E., Markey, Mia K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanics
Body measurements
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - psychology
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Cancer Survivors
Care and treatment
Clothing - psychology
Clothing - standards
Clothing industry
Commentary
Female
Health care industry
Humans
Mastectomy
Mastectomy - psychology
Mastectomy - rehabilitation
Medical research
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Medicine, Experimental
Needs Assessment
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Pain Medicine
Patient education
Patient Preference
Quality of Life
Rehabilitation Medicine
Surveys and Questionnaires
Survivor
Survivorship
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Summary:An important aspect of breast cancer survivorship is finding comfortable undergarments that work for women’s post-treatment bodies. Patients who undergo mastectomy, including both those who do and do not receive reconstruction, need bras that can accommodate new breast shape, size, and feel, as well as scarring and skin sensitivity. Our research with breast cancer patients and the literature reveal that ready-to-wear bras are inadequate for the variety of patients’ needs, and many women lack support and guidance to make decisions about undergarments after cancer. This commentary describes a major quality-of-life challenge for breast cancer survivors and makes recommendations for future research. Healthcare providers need more guidance and resources to be able to help their patients prepare for this aspect of survivorship. New technologies, such as biomechanical modeling, 3D body scanning, and manufacturing techniques, should be pursued in collaboration with patients, healthcare providers, and clothing designers to ease this burden for breast cancer patients.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-020-05414-z