Private bra-fitting appointments for breast cancer patients in Northern Ireland
After surgery and treatment for breast cancer, some women feel less confident about their body and self-image after a very tough time in their lives. Feeling good in your clothes can make a real difference, which is why Cancer Focus NI provides this specialist fitting service to help women find the right bras and swimwear. This patient support service is completely free and totally private.
We offer a range of bras, swimwear, and accessories in a large range of sizes (32AA to 50G cup) from a number of reputable brands including Amoena (our main supplier), Anita bras and Nicola Jane swimwear. We offer a variety of styles that you can wear for different occasions and for each step of your breast cancer journey, from diagnosis to post-surgery.
Depending on how many bras you own, we would recommend you come for a bra fitting once a year. All of our items are available at a greatly reduced rate to anyone who attends a bra-fitting appointment.
To view a selection of our ranges click here
Fitting service locations
Cancer Focus NI in Belfast
40-44 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast BT9 6DX
Opening hours: Tuesdays (10am-3pm)
Contact: 028 90663 241, care@cancerfocusni.org
Derry / Londonderry Cancer Focus NI shop
27 Shipquay Street, Derry, BT48 6DL
Opening hours: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays (10am-1pm)
Contact: 07933 202131
Robinson Hub, Ballymoney
23 Newal Road BT53 6HB
Opening hours: One Friday per month (10am-3pm)
Contact: 07813 479360
Ballymote Centre, Downpatrick
40 Kilough Road BT30 6PY
Contact: 07585 956830
The Ulster Hospital, Dundonald
Upper Newtownards Rd, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1RH
Contact: 07773 664406
Styles of bras available:
First-fit bra
6-8 weeks after your breast cancer surgery you will be called back to the hospital to have a check-up with a breast care nurse and they’ll want to issue you with your permanent prosthesis. It’s so important that you get a really good fitting bra before you go for your prosthesis fitting.
Debbie highlights one of our best selling first-fit bras (video).
The most important bra that you need to be fitted for is your first-fit bra. If you get your first bra right, your prosthesis will fit properly.
Sleep bra
When you are going for a mastectomy or a lumpectomy the sleep bra is an ideal bra to take into the hospital with you. It is made of very soft cotton material. Its front opening if you have wounds that need to be dressed.
This bra is also very suitable for elderly clients, people with frozen shoulders and limited mobility.
Watch our video detailing the sleep bra:
Compression bra
If you are going for breast reconstruction surgery, the compression bra is what some surgeons would recommend. It gives a lot of support and adds a little bit of compression to help reduce fluid retention. The front-opening enables for any wounds to be checked at ease. *This bra is to be worn 24hrs a day for 4 weeks to give the implant or reconstruction time to settle.
This bra is also suitable for ladies who have had mastectomy or lumpectomy, who get a lot of fluid retention. Available in sizes: small, medium, large and x-large.
Watch our video detailing the compression bra:
T-shirt, Strapless & Camisole bras
The T-shirt bra creates a very smooth look without any seams showing through and comes in a range of colours: nude, off-white, black and coloured varieties. It’s not to be worn when you go for your prosthesis fitting.
The strapless bra is slightly higher than a normal strapless bra to ensure the prosthesis is well enclosed in the pocket. Perfect for special occasions, comes in nude. It’s not recommended until you are a year post-surgery to allow any scar tissue or any tender areas time to heal.
The camisole bra has a pretty lace panel, thinner straps and comes in black and white – perfect for under your summer dresses.
Eileen McCay (breast cancer survivor)
Eileen explains how the bra-fitting service helped her.
