 | Aleta Williams owns Aleta’s Bras and Lingerie, located at 5601 E. Central (SE Corner of Central & Edgemoor) in East Wichita, offers almost 50-years of experience fitting bras and giving the very best customer service. Aleta’s carries several lines of fashionable swimwear including Gottex, Miracle Suit, and Carol Woir. Aleta also works with ladies who have had breast surgeries, mastectomies, and lumpectomies. You can contact Aleta by phone at (316) 682-0132. |
Intimate Apparel
2011-11-22 14:15:38
I’ve got breast cancer – series
A: As you might recall from my previous articles in this series, most women, like you, have dozens of questions. Some of these questions might deal with a second opinion, method of treatment, alternative treatments, radiation, chemotherapy, stigmas, depression support groups, going out in public, clothes, wigs, bras, swimsuits…and a host of other topics. To know that they all fit in one of five areas, is part of the organization that will help you go about handling this challenge. These areas are: physical, mental, social, spiritual and material. Last month we began talking about the material side of being diagnosed with breast cancer, after treatment…and more in particular bras. This month, we will begin talking about other areas in this category. To do so, I will enlist the help of one of the most noted authorities on the subject, Marianne Kelly, founder and director of the Image Recovery Center at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
Like bras, swimsuits for women who've had breast cancer have taken a great leap forward over the past several years. The suits are out of this world. There are two-pieces, one-pieces, skirted suits, tankinis, detachable skirts, sarongs that match, and more athletic suits that fit higher at the top and provide more support. The most popular swimsuit style for women who've had a mastectomy is the tankini. Marianne says, "When you're wearing a one-piece suit, every time you have to take it down to go to the bathroom, the breast is going with the swimsuit. Women have just snapped up the tankinis, and there is a wealth of designs in sizes from 6 to 26." Kelly would still like to see manufacturers offer some other options, like yoga tops. "I think it's something we'll see in the future, more athletic and sportswear that will allow women a little more freedom about wearing prostheses and feeling confident."
For women undergoing chemotherapy, hair loss can be extremely traumatic. Having the right head covering…a great-fitting wig, a comfortable scarf that you know how to tie, or a stylish hat, can help you feel a little more "you" and a little less "cancer patient."
“Most of time, women are looking for a wig that will closely resemble their own hair. They don't want to draw attention to the change, especially in the workplace," she says.
Wigs come in several types: synthetic, 100% human hair, or a blend. True European virgin hair wigs can cost $2,000 or more, while you can buy a synthetic wig for less than $100. Most insurers will pay for a prescribed "cranial prosthesis," but probably not for the priciest of the human-hair styles.
How can you decide what kind of wig is right for you? Each style has advantages and disadvantages, in addition to price. "Synthetic wigs are wash-and-wear, and very easy to maintain," says Kelly. "On the other hand, you don't get the movement that you would with real human hair. Usually, if someone's very visible and is very concerned with people detecting that they're wearing a wig, they'll go with human hair, understanding that the maintenance and cost are a little more than with synthetic."
I will be back next month with more.
