A Breast prosthesis - care and replacement

Thank you for attending the prosthesis clinic today. This information is about how you can order a new or replacement prosthesis.

We can only order a new prosthesis once you have had a fitting session. We cannot order, replace and send by post, particularly if the original fitting was some years ago. You will therefore need to attend a clinic appointment should you require a replacement prosthesis.

We offer a wide range of prostheses and are unable to keep stock of all of them. By fitting you, we can ensure that you receive the best service and are fitted with the correct prosthesis.

Non-contact prosthesis

This type of prosthesis is not attached to your skin and is placed in your bra.

General replacement

The non-contact prosthesis can only be replaced under the following circumstances:

• After a minimum period of three years has passed
• If the fitter deems that your shape has changed dramatically and the prosthesis no longer fits. (Please note that if you attend the clinic and the fitter finds that the prosthesis remains a good fit, your prosthesis will not be replaced)
• It is damaged or split due to normal wear and tear assessed by the fitter.

Care for your prosthesis (as recommended by the manufacturer – for non-contact only)

• Treat the prosthesis as you would your own skin.
• Wash it in warm soapy water, rinse and pat it dry with a towel.
• Keep in the box when not being worn to keep its shape.
• Keep it away from sharp objects such as cats’ claws, brooches, and stoned rings.
• Should it become pierced, place a piece of sticky plaster over the hole to seal it.

Contact prosthesis

This type of prosthesis is placed directly onto your skin.

This type of prosthesis cannot be returned once it has been opened and been placed on the skin for the first time.

For this reason if an order is placed for a contact prosthesis, you will be asked to return to the clinic to have it fitted by our fitter to ensure a good fit to avoid waste if an order is placed.

The contact prosthesis will only be replaced under the following circumstances:

• After a minimum period of three years has passed
• If the fitter deems that your shape has changed dramatically and the prosthesis no longer fits. (Please note that if you attend the clinic and the fitter finds that the prosthesis remains a good fit, your prosthesis will not be replaced)
• It is damaged or split due to normal wear and tear assessed by the fitter.

Care of contact prosthesis – please follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions.

MyChart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device

More information is available on the MyChart section on our website.

Contacts and further information

Breast Specialist Nurse Administration support 01223 349884