Breast prosethisis after mastectomy for cancer
Printed From: TNBC Foundation
Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: Let's Talk About Chemotherapy
Forum Description: A place to discuss Chemotherapy
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=11180
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 9:07pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Breast prosethisis after mastectomy for cancer
Posted By: nonna1642
Subject: Breast prosethisis after mastectomy for cancer
Date Posted: May 16 2013 at 5:45pm
I have a question concerning external breast prosthesis after a mastectomy for breast cancer I am a three year TNBC survivor & have been wearing a prosthesis. Is it normal for the prosthesis to start rubbing under your arm or start being uncomfortable? That is the feeling I have been getting lately. This is a large prosthesis. Would I discuss this with my doctor or the place I got the prosthesis from? How long are they good for? How often can I get a new one? Any information would be helpful. Thank you. Dx: Age 70, 3/10 IDC TNBC Grade 3, Left mastectomy no reconstruction 5/10 Stage IIB, 5.1cm, S/N 0/3, M0, followed by chemo of TAxtore & Cytoxin and radiation |
Replies:
Posted By: Grateful for today
Date Posted: May 19 2013 at 11:45pm
|
Nonna, Glad you posted. Sounds like something needs to be done ASAP to stop the rubbing under your arm. One possibility for a prosthesis to start rubbing would be if one has lost weight. Another possibility might be if one started to do some new activity/movement. Another possibility if the prosthesis is getting worn down(smaller)........ and am sure there's other reasons. Getting a prescription for a new prosthesis and getting a fitting by a certified fitter sounds reasonable. If the area around one's surgery/radiation site continues to feel uncomfortable, a check with one's provider would make sense...........following the general guideline of a symptom related to one's treatment area that lasts longer than 2 weeks to be followed up with one's physician just to be safe and sure (or sooner if a major/significant symptom). Prosthesis insurance benefit will vary by which insurance one has. Just call the Insurance information number on one's card. The TLC website of the American Cancer Society has the following info for Medicare patients: Medicare/Insurance *****Do check with Medicare itself for current Medicare benefits******* http://www.tlcdirect.org/medicare.aspx" rel="nofollow - http://www.tlcdirect.org/medicare.aspx One needs to use a Medicare provider. A "Reimbursement Fee Schedule for Bras and Prosthetics" is published by Medicare for the purpose of determining the amount allowable. This amount varies from state to state, and can be lower than a store/catalog's prices. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. The TLC site of the ACS has the allowable as: 1 Silicone Breast Form (2 Forms for bilateral surgeries) every 2 years or one Foam Form (2 Forms for bilateral surgeries) every 6 months. 4-6 Mastectomy Bras annually, or as many as are medically needed/indicated by your doctor. Additional Bras may be prescribed as a result of surgery and/or loss or gain of weight With caring and positive thoughts, Grateful for today............Judy |
Posted By: nonna1642
Date Posted: May 21 2013 at 3:53pm
|
Hi Judy, Thanks for the information. I have lost some weight since my mastectomy and never thought about that as being a problem but it does make sense. I will check into getting a new one Nonna......Barbara
|
Posted By: Lillie
Date Posted: May 21 2013 at 8:29pm
|
Dear Barbara,
I got a new prosthesis a couple of months ago. I had my original one for over five years and was told that they normally last about 2-3 years. I believe a new one every 3 years is covered by medicare. (It could be every 2 years, I forgot exactly what was said about that)
My old one started to split on the side next to my skin and the contents leaked out.
I got a perscription from my oncologist and went to a local medical supply store. They fitted me for a new one and ordered it for me. Medicare pair for the entire thing...$354.99. I also got a perscription for 6 bra's and medicare covered that charge also.
I had been fitted 5 years earlier for the 1st one, but needed a larger size this time because I had gained some weight. I chose the Amoena brand each time.
Most of the time my prosthesis feels like a part of me, but when I perspire a lot, or get puffy under my arm from the node removal, etc. my bra bothers me. Could it be your bra that is being bothersome? I will say that, if you have lost weight you probably need a new prosthesis to be correctly balanced.
I hope this helps.
God Bless,
Lillie ------------- Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |