On the cusp of Breast Cancer Awareness month, special contributor Janice Holmes of Janice Rose Lingerie gives us her insight to the fitting of post surgical bras.
Screenshot
The right fit can make such a difference – this becomes even more important following breast cancer surgery. Whether a woman has undergone a mastectomy, lumpectomy or reconstruction, her body may have changed significantly, and finding the right bra and prosthesis can become an important part of her recovery, comfort and confidence.
Even in 2026, there is still so much more to do when it comes to education and information. What style of bra should I choose? What shape is best? How much coverage and support do I need? What should I consider following surgery?
Bras are readily available in supermarkets and online, and there is certainly a place for this convenience. However, when your body has changed through breast cancer treatment, there can be no substitute for a personal, specialist fitting tailored to your individual needs.
A post-surgery fitting is about far more than simply finding a bra size. It is about understanding the woman, her surgery, her shape, her chest wall, any scarring or sensitivity, and what she wants to achieve from her lingerie.
Screenshot
Breast prostheses have also evolved considerably. In the past, women were often offered relatively standard shapes. Today, technology is opening up exciting new possibilities for a much more personalised approach.
3D body scanning and imaging can capture the contours of the body when a woman is wearing a correctly fitted bra. This is particularly interesting because the breast changes shape when it is properly supported. Capturing that supported position can help us understand the natural contours and position of the remaining breast.
This information can then help towards developing a prosthesis that more closely mirrors the natural breast when it is held correctly in a supportive bra.
Importantly, it is not just the breast shape that matters. The shape of the chest wall is fundamental. A prosthesis needs to sit comfortably against the chest wall and follow the individual contours of the body, rather than simply being a standard shape placed against it.
Technology is an incredibly valuable tool, but it does not replace the specialist fitter. The real expertise comes from combining technology with experience, understanding the woman’s body, her bra fit and her individual circumstances to find the most appropriate solution.
Being a bra fitter is so much more than measuring someone and finding a size. It is about listening, understanding, reassuring and supporting every woman who walks through the door. Sometimes we are helping someone find their first properly fitting bra. Sometimes we are helping a woman rediscover her confidence following surgery. Every fitting is different, because every woman is different.
Screenshot
For me, this is exactly why I love what I do. I am not simply fitting bras. I am helping women feel comfortable, supported and confident in themselves.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, perhaps we should not only raise awareness of breast cancer, but also raise awareness of what comes afterwards, and ensure every woman knows that specialist support, personal fitting and increasingly sophisticated technology are available to help her move forward.
Every woman’s body is individual. Every woman’s surgery is individual. So why shouldn’t her fitting be individual too.?
