Janice Holmes, owner of Janice Rose Lingerie, Sutton-on-Trent, calls on government to help women after breast surgery
A professional bra fitter is calling on the government to help women who have had breast surgery to get their bras and prostheses from specialists.
Janice Holmes, owner of Janice Rose Lingerie, has launched a petition calling for a government voucher scheme so women can go to specialists for properly fitted bras and prostheses post-surgery.
With expertise in bra fitting, Janice highlights the need for women to get the right size-fitting bra as breasts come in different shapes and sizes and the resources available at the NHS aren’t often the right choice.
Janice, whose business is based at Sutton-on-Trent, said: “The government needs to do two vouchers – one for a bra to hold that up and one for a prosthesis to correct the shape.
“At the moment there is no voucher system, ladies are just told there you go, you have that, make do or leave it.
“Hospitals will issue a prosthesis, however, they only have a small selection.
“I have ladies who come and they are so emotional that they've had this surgery. They may have had a double mastectomy, they may have had a lumpectomy but the lump has been taken away and they've still got a bit of breast, but there's no specialist help afterwards.
“But it's not just about the prosthesis, it's about bras in general because there is no education about getting fitted and looking after your shape.”
Janice hopes the system could work in the same way as the NHS providing vouchers for wigs, where women can go to a specialist and pick a wig of their choice that will fit their needs and purpose.
She says there is an equal need to get properly fitted bras and prostheses because not only can affect one’s confidence and self-esteem but mental health.
“Having surgery changes the look of you so to have something which is going to give you that shape back will give you the confidence and actually to get on with your everyday life,” she said.
“It makes a huge impact to ladies – a massive impact. Ladies come and get measured, and suddenly they have a shape that they really thought they could never have again.”
People can sign the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/661527.
Janice decided it was time for a change as she started doing more post-surgery fittings and seeing more ladies upset and losing their confidence.
“I try to make such a huge difference by giving them the advice, the correct advice on what bras they need.
“It isn't one size fits all.”