Topic: Help Needed For Women who have undergone Mastectomy
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- Posted on: Oct 11, 2007 09:56 am, edited Oct 11, 2007 09:56 AM by Student2007
I am a 22 year old student currently in my final year studying BSc Fashion technology. Our module leader has set us an assignment to choose a specialist area to develope a range of garments for. After careful consideration, I chose Swimwear for women who have undergone mastectomy (hope i spelt it right? :S) As I would like to raise awareness as a young woman myself, I sympatheise with all you strong women out there who have undergone or continuing treatment due to breast cancer and believe there should be more options available for this area of the retail market as swimwear is worn in the public eye therefore every woman should have the confidence to feel comfortable, look feminine and feel sexy. I would greatly appreciate your input on how retailers may lack what women want or look for when purchasing swimwear garments. Is there any particular retailer you prefer to purchase swimwear from and why? Are there any trends (i.e particular design or print) in swimwear that you particulary would like to see in high street retailers? If you have purchased swimwear before, what kind of padding etc has been used?
I dont personally know of anyone who has undergone breat cancer surgery or treatment therefore my research is restricted. It is also a very sensitive subject for many women so I cannot approach an unknown individual to dicuss this topic on a one to one basis, therefore please feel open minded to share your thoughts and opinions. I greatly admire the strength and determination in every woman who has and is dealing with breast cancer. Thankyou and I look forward to everyones input. Stay strong x
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mthomp2020 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 282 |
Oct 11, 2007 10:58 am
mthomp2020 wrote:
I haven't really given a lot of thought about swimwear, and I have a swimming pool. I had a single mastectomy back in August. I actually have 2 bathing suits that I'll be able to wear still. I think a lot depends on what type of surgery a woman has and how extensive it was. The neckline has to be high enough that it won't show scars, and can hold the form/prothesis in place without showing. I think the age of the woman can also be very important. A woman in her 30's and 40's will want a different bathing suit than someone in her 50's and 60's. I think it's a very individual thing. You might want to get in touch with your local American Cancer Association Wellness Community support organization. They might be able to help you with contacts. There's probably women who would be glad to give you feedback. What I would like to see addressed is the styling of mastectomy bras. Most are styles that seem to date from the 50's, with horizontal seams and geared toward a lot of support. They give you a very conical shape. I'm 54, but I don't want to look like a grandmother. I like a rounder, more natural look. Also, I'm not large - between an A and B cup. Currently, there's only a few mastectomy bras out there that are like that. |
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2390 |
Oct 11, 2007 01:19 pm
lvtwoqlt wrote:
I agree with Mthomp that the styling of mastectomy bras need a lot of improvement. I am 46 and not that large - 38B but the bras seem to be more matronly and not much choice of styles. Sheila We are like tea bags, we don't know how strong we are until we were thrown into hot water. Eleanore Roosevelt
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cfrie Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 56 |
Oct 11, 2007 01:42 pm
cfrie wrote:
I haven't given much thought to bathing suits either, other than I don't want to wear one until I have reconstruction! So, that said, my concerns with wearing a mastectomy bathing suit is similar to what mthomp2020 said about the neck line being high enough to cover scars and hold the prosthesis in place without showing. It also needs to cover the scars on the sides as well since my scars are somewhat near my arm pit. At the same time, I would also like the suit to be stylish. I am in my late 30's and don't want to wear an "old lady" style suit. Prior to this, I would wear bikini's (nothing revealing), tankini's, and some one piece's as well that were on the stylish side. I would like to wear the same type of bathing suits, that are flattering for the rest of my body (I'm an average body type, thin but most of my weight is in my butt and thighs). I looked once on-line at mastectomy suits and they were all one piece suits, no patterns, very high neck line (the type of swim suit I wore when I was about 13 or 14 and didn't want to be noticed by boys yet - I actually like the mastectomy bras I have, they're not overly stylish, but not too plain either, it has some lace and flowery pattern on part of it, not matronly. They cover up the scars pretty well, but not completely as my scars are a little higher on my chest, due to wear the tumor was. The problem that I have with it, should I ever be walking around in front of anyone (I haven't, but I'm just saying this would be a problem if you took this design and turned into a bathing suit) is that from the side you can see a little bit of the prosthesis. So there needs to be more material around the outside to cover up where the pocket for the prosthesis is. Hope this helps, good luck with your project! |
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OLBinNJ Joined: May 2007 Posts: 170 |
Oct 11, 2007 06:24 pm
OLBinNJ wrote:
I agree with everything said so far. I personally need a high neck because my mast left me concave pretty high up. I love tankinis and have a few from Lands End and Nautica. I have found that a solid color or a pattern work, but horizontal stripes don't, as they emphasize any difference between the real and fake breast. I hope you can help the fashion world pay a little more attention to our needs. |
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caaclark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 648 |
Oct 11, 2007 07:54 pm
caaclark wrote:
If you have not yet checked out the breastfree site, there are some suggestions for cute bras and bathing suits. I have posted before about bras and bathing suits but Anita makes great bras. And...I do have a mastectomy bikini made by Anita. It is not the one on the breastfree site but is similar to that one. All of my mast. bras that I wear are cute and sexy. Try Amoena also. They have some nice ones too. Carol Diag.1/06 at age 40, 1.6cm, 6+nodes, stage IIb/IIIa, er/pr+, her2-, chemo, mast. rads, no recon
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Student2007… Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3 |
Oct 12, 2007 10:35 am
Student2007 wrote:
Hiya! Thank you all for the great response so far! It really does help narrow down the type of styles/design features/fabric I will have to consider for my finaly range. I would like to look into mastectomy bras but since my project is mostly based on garments that have a specialised function to them with inspiration taken from Fall/Winter 2008 I have to stick to the guide lines rather than look at lingerie. I have noted down so far about what you all look for and it has helped so much! Since I have to design and produce two ranges I might design for women aged in their 20s-30s and another for women in their 40s-50s so its more varied. I will have to look in more depth about the extent after surgery and try to design a attractive yet comfortable ( for scarring etc) look. OldBinNJ - you have mentioned about two places you purchased your swimsuits from. I am from England U.K and havent heard of these places here? Are these shops or online shopping places? If you have any online websites I can visit I would be greatful if you could forward the web address? CaaClark - you have also mentioned breast free site? And Amonea? Is this another site or can I visit from this site? I have had a browse here but cant seem to find it so likewise if you could possibly forward the online address it would be greatly appreciated. The only designer I know of in England is Amanda Lee who has an online website where you can purchase such specialised bras/swimsuits from if you would like to have a view. Just type in her name in yahoo or google. Shes been an inspiration so far so I have looked at a few of her designs and would be greatful and welcome any online websites I could visit to view their designs. Thankyou again. Look forward to the replies and inputs from you all. x |
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mthomp2020 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 282 |
Oct 12, 2007 10:40 am
mthomp2020 wrote:
I think that for some reason, the designers of mastectomy bras/bathing suits think most of the women are in their 50's or older. After looking at the thread that asks how old you were when diagnosed, there are really a good number of women in their 40's, and even 30's, who have had mastectomies without reconstruction. I'm 54, and even I don't like the bathing suits they have for mastectomies. I'll be sewing pockets into 2 suits I already have. The fashion industry really ignores women in my age range. Clothing is either designed for 20-30 year olds, or is very matronly (think Alfred Dunner/Sag Harbor). Baby boomers tend to have more discretionary income. Why aren't our needs being addressed by the industry? I used to like finding nice clothing. Now I hate clothing shopping because it's so hard to find something that looks fashionable but appropriate for someone my age. |
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caaclark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 648 |
Oct 13, 2007 02:30 pm
caaclark wrote:
Student, You can go to breasfree.org for some of the information you are looking for. Amoena and Anita are the two companies that I happen to like as far as mastectomy bras. Just do a search and you should be able to find them. I think on the breastfree site there are links to some of the bras I like so that may help you out. Carol Diag.1/06 at age 40, 1.6cm, 6+nodes, stage IIb/IIIa, er/pr+, her2-, chemo, mast. rads, no recon
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caaclark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 648 |
Oct 13, 2007 02:30 pm
caaclark wrote:
oops. I mean breastfree.org. Carol Diag.1/06 at age 40, 1.6cm, 6+nodes, stage IIb/IIIa, er/pr+, her2-, chemo, mast. rads, no recon
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TammyLou Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 264 |
Oct 14, 2007 03:35 am
TammyLou wrote:
Oops&Downes is a UK firm that specializes in post-mastectomy wear. They have some acceptable tankini's, etc. The other company that has some (not so "old lady") choices is LandsEnd. Both of these companies have websites. Tammy Lou |
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janniexy Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 26 |
Oct 14, 2007 10:00 pm
janniexy wrote:
I just bought a swimsuit at my local mastectomy shop. The only downside I notice is there is too much room for the forms inside the pocket, and they tend to sink down lower than they should be. I'm thinking of doing some stitching to hold them more in place. I've been pleasantly surprised at the necklines I'm able to wear and my underarm incisions were pretty low also. I can still wear some tank tops, I just can't wear deep v's. I would like to find some pretty nightgowns--I don't want forms in them, just wishing for something feminine without being too low-cut. |
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SusaninSF Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 132 |
Oct 15, 2007 12:55 am
SusaninSF wrote:
Another problem I have had with mastectomy swim suits is that they don't come in smaller sizes. I haven't been able to find a suit in anything smaller than a size 6 (American). I usually wear a size 4 and I know there is another woman who frequents this board who is a size 2. The basic problem is that the average age for women with breast cancer is 64 so they design everything with that average age in mind. However, the age range is very wide with cases of breast cancer in some as young as 15 and many in their twenties and thirties. I found an Anita suit that I like after much research though it is a bit large for me. Moreover, I am 43 and have two kids. I wouldn't have worn a suit like that in my twenties or early thirities. There is a place on this board for young women with breast cancer. Perhaps you could ask them. I am sure they underserved when it comes to mastectomy swim suits. Hopefully, your school project will some day turn into real garments! I wish the mastectomy garment manufacturers would ask us what we need! |
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ddd Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 133 |
Oct 15, 2007 10:09 am
ddd wrote:
Hi, I am one of those Size 2 girls who can't get a suit. Really depressing. I still have a fairly good figure and would like to go to the beach one of these days. It's been more than a year. Also the bra thing...geez I ordered one beautiful looking seamless bra via internet, size 34 A. Not only did my Size 2 A/B prosthesis not even fill it out, but the proportions were all wrong for a petite woman. My husband saw me after I tried it on and said "You can't wear that!" It really looks comical on me. I am now using the Amoena Tria Plus attachable breast form so I can wear normal bras. Of course not all bras work, but I can find more non-mast bras than mast bras that are comfortable and attractive and make me feel good. Something is wrong here!!! |
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ddd Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 133 |
Oct 15, 2007 10:18 am
ddd wrote:
Oh, I almost forgot...how many of you also have this pet peeve: These bra/swimsuit manufacturers never use models that have had mastectomies and are wearing breast forms. The clothes don't fit or look the same! Duh!! There are plenty of attractive women with mastectomies that could model for these companies. Makes me realize that it it is more about money than about helping people. |
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caaclark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 648 |
Oct 15, 2007 01:29 pm
caaclark wrote:
Yes, a pet peeve of mine too. I thought I was the only one who noticed that the mastectomy swimsuits are modeled by women with 2 boobs and cleavage. Carol Diag.1/06 at age 40, 1.6cm, 6+nodes, stage IIb/IIIa, er/pr+, her2-, chemo, mast. rads, no recon
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geebung Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1004 |
Oct 15, 2007 05:00 pm, edited Oct 15, 2007 05:01 PM
by geebung
geebung wrote:
Good points made by all so far. I have just bought a tankini mastectomy swimsuit. I did find it very difficult to find a comfortable one as I can't stand anything at all firm/tight under my arm where they removed lymph nodes - yet I need coverage there to hide the scar. My swimsuit feels fine under my non-surgery arm but my scarred side feels sensitive. I will probably have to just get used to it. I am 50. gb |
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MLizA Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 31 |
Oct 15, 2007 09:17 pm
MLizA wrote:
I just want a swimsuit that looks attractive. I hope to be done with all my treatment -- chemo & rads by Christmas and my husband and I have booked a trip to Mexico in January to get away and relax. I am not too worried about having a swimsuit that I will spend much time swimming in, I just want something that looks nice and I can feel somewhat normal in. I found some okay suits by Anita, but was completely put-off when, as others have pointed out, the models had cleavage!!! How is that going to look with a concave chest on one side? I am reluctanct to buy anything on-line but finding anything in stores will be very limiting. I guess I will just have to keep looking. Linda |
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starzhere Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 119 |
Oct 19, 2007 02:39 am
starzhere wrote:
Lands End is a good site to go to for the best that a younger woman can hope to find. My main complaint is that I wear regular, not mastectomy bras. I would like to see swimsuits with cup sizes and underwire or with regular bra support to be able to place the breast form into. I wear a 34D cup and need a size 6-8 suit. The cup sizes in these swim suits is usually a B cup. I have considered buying the cami's that I have seen that advertise the built in underwire bras that come in band and cup sizes and then pairing it with swim shorts or a swim skirt. You can see one of these camis if you go to the TravelSmith website and enter cami in the search feature. In my opinion a nice classic halter style suit that goes around the back at the armpit level would be an attractive suit for any age. It could be paired with bikini bottoms, swim shorts, or swim skirts. |
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sarahL Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 1 |
Nov 11, 2007 05:24 pm
sarahL wrote:
I am interested in what all you women think of a new product for women who have undergone a mastectomy and are unable to wear low cut necklines....what if you could buy a fabric insert that you could add to all your clothing...like bras, shirts, dresses and even bathing suits....it would be for v-neck like clothing. Do you think that this would help/solve your clothing problems?...this would be something that easily attaches without having to sew it in? Would love to hear all comments...thanks so much... |
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 3261 |
Nov 11, 2007 05:42 pm
Binney4 wrote:
Hi, Sarah, Thanks for your interest in helping with a problem we have. It may be that marketing research isn't quite cricket on this site without at least stating the origin of your interest. But thank you for thinking of it. Perhaps you could add to your first post with more information about you. We'd appreciate it, as well as be able to answer your question better. I'm not visualizing what you're describing. What kind of fabric? Attached how? Have you made something like this that you could show us? Interesting idea! Thanks, Binney |
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yellowrose Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 415 |
Nov 11, 2007 05:46 pm
yellowrose wrote:
There are so many pretty v-neck tunics out now and I can't wear any of them. My only option right now is to wear a camisole underneath but its pretty warm in Texas year round. Layering isn't feasible most of the time. An insert from different textures and fabric might work. A pretty, tight lace would be nice. I just wouldn't want an insert too high on the chest. Dx 7/9/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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marie56 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 |
Nov 14, 2007 07:14 pm
marie56 wrote:
Hi my name is Marie and I lost my right breast to cancer some 20 years ago but right now I don't have any BRAS to wear Are a fake breast anymore my TENNCARE ran out so I can't afford the price for any bras are breast at this momemt. So what I'm asking is there anyway someone can help me repectable again when I go out in public please someone help me I also has womb cancer in the year of 1995 and my breast cancer was in the year of 1990 I'm BLESS in the name of JESUS I'm BLESS just to be ALIVE if you'll can help me thank you and if you'll can't help me on some free bras and fake breast and breast examine thank you all just the same I haven't had an breast examine in FOUR YEARS and I was told to have an examine every years cause of my health history with cancer but can't without the money or insurance I'm very sorry to be sounding like I'm feeling sorry for myself but I'm not for the past four years I have been dressing and going out without the breast can't wear something you don't have right. It's very uncomfortable and you are alway thinking peoples are looking at you right at your chest that is not a good feeling believe me but anyway I am going to just PRAY that someone will give the bras and right breast I live in Memphis, Tennessee, 38127 at 4094 Wagon Wheel Dr. Thank You for just listen to me and may the LORD always keep on BLESSING and GIVING |
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Billie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2 |
Nov 14, 2007 08:06 pm
Billie wrote:
Marie what size are you? |
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Student2007… Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3 |
Dec 9, 2007 10:44 am
Student2007 wrote:
Hi everyone. I am in my last week until my deadline on friday 14th Dec. Ive made the first prototype mastectomy swimwear costume for a woman between 20-30 years of age! Its a halter neck but not too low and has cut out bodice and ive shaped the bust area to fit a 34 B cup size protheses in which has gathers in. Its in a navy blue solid colour. I will insert an image of it when Ive finished the other one! The other one which im nearly finished with is a similiar bust style but gathers through the bodice which i feel would suit a woman in 40+ age range! Hope you are all well. Will post the images soon. let me know what you all think! Stressed! Student x |
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jinnyjehu Joined: May 2008 Posts: 2 |
May 11, 2008 04:50 pm
jinnyjehu wrote:
What size are you? I have an amoena form to offer in size 6 . I wore it for several months and now since I have lost weight since treatment it doen't fit and I am getting a new one. I am outraged thet you have spent so long "breastless". If you want it I'll send it to you. |
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jinnyjehu Joined: May 2008 Posts: 2 |
May 11, 2008 05:12 pm
jinnyjehu wrote:
To the fashion student. I came across this site whilst looking for a mastectomy bikini. I had surgery in feb 2007 and am 38. The surgery was quite extensive leaving me with a concave right breast and total node clearance, but I am still fairly young and don't want to wear old-fashioned prints that my 66year old mother wouldn't wear. I bought a tankini last year from Aomena that was ok, functional but not fantastic. I know that I now have to compromise on shape but do I have to feel frumpy? Is that an English word, It means deeply unfashionable. modern prints, surfy. Having been absolutely livid and upset at the choice availble to younger women who have had mastectomys and don't feel ready for reconstructions yet.... I have been seriously considering designing some decent swimwear for this niche market. Any suggestions? |
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yellowrose Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 415 |
May 11, 2008 07:24 pm
yellowrose wrote:
I really wish someone would design a swimsuit for unilateral women who are large breasted. Land's End only fits up to a DD. Some women need ladies suits built for a larger bustline. Prothesis bras are another problem area. The largest size is DDD and those are 36-44. Noone addresses 32-34 with a large cup size. If the prothesis are made up to size 15, shouldn't mastectomy bras be available to fit?  You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived though this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' Eleanor Roosevelt
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, basically just very plain).
I just haven't had the energy or time to get something and try to put pockets in it, etc.
I have so far only found one mast bra that fits well enough, not great, and that I can tolerate.