2013 Volume 54 Issue 1 Pages 68-75
This study was performed to create guidelines for proper fitting of brassieres and pads (prostheses, breast forms) in women after breast cancer surgery. Subjects consisted of 12 women with breast asymmetry after breast cancer surgery; 4 after full mastectomy on the right side, 4 after full mastectomy on the left side and 4 after breast conserving surgery. Data were obtained in each subject wearing her well-fitting brassiere (My Bra) and pad (My Pad) in the Experiment 1, while wearing My Bra with 6 different weight silicone pads with different weights one by one in the Experiment 2.
Experiment 1: More than a half of the subjects after full mastectomy complained of shoulder stiffness, lateral unbalance in the laterality and overall pressure sensation on the chest. The center of gravity was located on the diseased side in the most subjects wearing My Bra without pads and shifted to the healthy side after wearing My Bra attached with My Pad.
Experiment 2: With an increase in the pad weight, the overall clothing pressure increased especially on the diseased side. The subjects complained of heavy sensation of pads, shoulder stiffness, overall pressure sensation and lateral unbalance in the laterality. In order to decrease the burden on the diseased side, it is necessary to re-evaluate the pad weight more properly in each subject.
