Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with more than 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year in France. While the majority of breast cancers can be treated conservatively, a mastectomy remains necessary in nearly 23% of cases.
In these situations, immediate breast reconstruction is performed during the same surgical procedure as the mastectomy. It plays an essential role in the patient’s care journey and contributes significantly to improving patients’ quality of life, physical and psychological well-being, and body image. At the Baclesse Center, more than 170 immediate breast reconstructions were performed in 2024.
Wearing a life jacket is essential
After immediate breast reconstruction, wearing a properly fitted compression bra is essential for several weeks, day and night. This garment helps keep the implant securely in place, promotes healing, and reduces post-operative pain.
These bras must meet specific criteria related to the post-operative period: front closure, precise fit, and appropriate compression. For comfort, patients generally need at least two bras to ensure continuous support throughout the recovery period.
Currently, these bras are not covered by health insurance. Their cost, ranging from 50 to 90 euros depending on the model, can represent a significant financial burden for some patients. Added to this difficulty are sometimes access issues: few retailers have sufficient stock, and choosing a suitable bra often requires the assistance of professionals trained in breast reconstruction.
All of these steps can make an already trying treatment journey even more burdensome.
A tangible impact on patients' quality of life
To improve patient care and reduce disparities in access to these essential items, the Baclesse Center has established a stock of post-operative bras that are readily available within the surgery department.
Every patient undergoing immediate breast reconstruction will now be able to receive a properly fitted bra as soon as she is admitted to the Center. This bra will be selected with the assistance of teams specializing in breast reconstruction during the preoperative nursing consultation.
This project improves patients’ postoperative comfort; streamlines their care journey; reduces certain disease-related expenses; and ensures equitable access to appropriate, high-quality equipment.
A project funded by donations
This project provides a concrete example of how donations impact patients’ daily lives. Through their generosity, donors directly help make the treatment journey more comfortable, less stressful, and more accessible for women affected by breast cancer.
The Baclesse Center extends its heartfelt thanks to all of its donors for their trust and commitment to our cause.
