Private bra-fitting appointments for breast cancer patients in Northern Ireland
*Please note: Face to face appointments will be postponed until February due to the current stay at home guidance. You can still book Online Consultations.*
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 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.
Fitting service locations
*Please note: Face to face consultations will be postponed at the following locations until February due to the current stay at home guidance. You can still book Online Consultations.*
Cancer Focus NI in Belfast
40-44 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast BT9 6DX
Opening hours: Tuesdays (10am-3pm)
Contact: 07933202131, care@cancerfocusni.org
Derry / Londonderry Cancer Focus NI shop
27 Shipquay Street, Derry, BT48 6DL
Opening hours: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays (10am-1pm)
Contact: 07933202131
Southern Area Hospice in Newry
St. Johns House, Courtney Hill, Newry BT34 2EB
Opening hours: One Friday per month (10am-3pm)
Contact: 07933202131
Robinson Hub, Ballymoney
23 Newal Road BT53 6HB
Opening hours: One Friday per month (10am-3pm)
Contact: 07933202131
Telephone advice and re-ordering can take place at all other locations:
Cancer Connect in Enniskillen
3 Forthill Rd, Enniskillen BT74 6AW
Contact: 028 6634 0102
Pink Ladies, Derry / Londonderry
195 Bishop Street, BT48 6UP
Contact: 02871 414 004
Care for Cancer Omagh
1 Skeboy Rd, Campsie Pl, Omagh BT79 0FD
Contact: 028 8224 6599
Cancer Choices in Donaghmore
Ivy Cottage, 9 Main Street, Donaghmore, Dungannon BT70 3ES
Contact: 028 8772 9850
Ballymote Centre, Downpatrick
40 Kilough Road BT30 6PY
Contact: 07971061593
Face-to-face bra-fitting consultation
*Please note: Face to face appointments will be postponed until February due to the current stay at home guidance. You can still book Online Consultations.*
Appointments will last for 1 hour to allow enough time to ensure that the bra fits properly and comfortably. This is especially important for your very first bra fit, as this will ensure that your new protheses is balanced and matches the size and shape of your natural breast. Breast Care Nurses recommend getting a professionally fitted bra before going for your protheses appointment.
We understand that some women will feel anxious about returning to face-to-face appointments. Any bras that clients have tried on will be sprayed with anti-bacterial spray and left to dry for 72hrs. Our specially designated rooms will be wiped down after each appointment and our bra-fitters will be kitted out with PPE. Learn more from this video.
Online bra-fitting consultations
If you’re not comfortable with a face-to-face appointment, you can avail of our online consultations and fittings via zoom or over the phone (approx 1 hr). To book your online consultation, call Debbie on 079 3320 2131.
For your first appointment, your bra-fitter will discuss how to measure yourself, your surgery and scars. She will discuss different styles and features of bras to help choose the most suitable one. Once you have chosen your bra(s), card payment can be taken and we will then post them out to you. A follow up appointment will be arranged to check that the bra fits correctly. If they are not suitable, they can be returned within 14 days.
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.
