Breast prostheses

This section provides practical information about breast prostheses for women who have had breast surgery.

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When can I start to wear a prosthesis

After surgery, the breast area will be tender, but you can choose to wear a light temporary breast prosthesis called a soft prosthesis (or soft form) immediately. The soft prosthesis can be worn in a bra that has a pocket (post-surgical bra).

If the bra feels too tight or rubs against your scar, you can wear a crop top or camisole with a pocket in it. You can wear a soft prosthesis when you have radiation therapy. This is because it is light and made from a smooth material such as polyester.

When you have recovered from treatment, you can be fitted for a permanent prosthesis. You may need to wait up to two months after surgery and for six weeks after radiation therapy to give the skin and other tissue time to heal. Every woman is different so check with your surgeon or breast care nurse about how long you need to wait.

My Care Kit

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) provides a free bra and temporary soft form for women who have recently had breast cancer surgery. The bra is designed to be worn immediately after surgery. It has seams that avoid pressure on scars, and extra hooks and eyes to adjust the bra for any swelling. It can also be done up from the front or back, making fastening easier. To order a My Care Kit, speak to your breast care nurse.

What to consider – breast prosthesis

Benefits

Drawbacks
  • Can give you a more natural shape under clothes.
  • Doesn’t require further surgery, which has risks and a longer recovery time.
  • Can be worn with different clothes, including during sports such as swimming.
  • Medicare covers part of the cost of new or replacement prostheses.
  • Can be replaced if it wears out or is damaged.
  • Can be worn while you’re waiting for breast reconstruction surgery or during treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
  • Can be matched to your breast size to correct weight imbalance.
  • Easy to change size (e.g. if the size of your other breast changes).
  • You may not like the idea of having an artificial breast.
  • You may need to wear a special bra to keep the prosthesis in place.
  • Requires special washing and storage.
  • You may need to make changes to your clothes or use accessories so the prosthesis stays in place.
  • May be uncomfortable at times (e.g. heavy, hot or irritating), especially when playing sport.
  • If you aren’t comfortable wearing a prosthesis, you may feel self-conscious or embarrassed, or concerned it will move or fall out.
  • Needs to be replaced every few years.

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Key resource

Download a PDF booklet on this topic.

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Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction

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More resources

This information was last reviewed in July 2020. View who reviewed this content.

A/Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, NSW; Dragana Ceprnja, Senior Physiotherapist and Health Professional Educator, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Jan Davies, Consumer; Rosemerry Hodgkin, Consumer; Gillian Horton, Owner and Director, Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear, ACT; Ashleigh Mondolo, Clinical Nurse Consultant Breast Care Nurse, Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane, QLD; Dr Jane O’Brien, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgeon, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, VIC; Moira Waters, Breast Care Nurse, Breast Cancer Care WA; Sharon Woolridge, Consumer; Rebecca Yeoh, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland.

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