The need to improve the availability and provision of prosthesis throughout the State was one of the key recommendations that came out of the Action Breast Cancer/DCU survey.
It also stressed the importance of ensuring that cost would not be a huge factor for women regardless of where they lived in Ireland.
A 10-point Standards of Care guideline for breast prosthesis fitting care has now been drawn up and is detailed below. It is also available from the Irish Cancer Society's Action Breast Cancer website. It gives women an idea of what to expect from suppliers and it also lets suppliers and retailers know the standards women expect of them.
Some suppliers and retail outlets for prosthesis have already taken the recommendations on board and have designed specialist fitting rooms.
1. The fitting environment should be easily accessible and spacious with good lighting and ventilation. A range of products should be on display and there should be fitting rooms for privacy and a full-length mirror.
2. A fitting service should encourage women to make contact with the service and put her at ease. Everything possible should be done to ensure the best possible fitting experience.
3. The fitter should be trained, knowledgeable and sensitive to women's needs. A woman should have a choice of seeing a female fitter.
4. Women are entitled to a prompt appointment. Adequate time should be made available for the fitting and for women to receive appropriate emotional support.
5. Women are entitled to see and try a range of products so that they can choose the best product to meet their individual needs.
6. Women should always be measured for a breast prosthesis and/or mastectomy bra. If it is appropriate for a woman to be measured without removing her bra, this option should be offered to her.
7. Chosen products should be made available to women in a timely fashion. If there is a delay, women are entitled to know the reason for the delay and how long they have to wait.
8. Women should be carefully informed about how to care for their prosthesis according to the manufacturers' instructions.
9. Women should receive impartial information about alternative products and ranges available from other sources. Brochures from a variety of ranges should be made available to all women.
10. An information leaflet outlining what to expect at the prosthesis fitting should be made available to all women, as well as clear guidelines on entitlements and the replacement of prostheses and mastectomy bras.