With Service and Sensitivity

Manufacturers of post-mastectomy products and breastfeeding supplies have raised the bar this year by improving comfort, durability and efficiency — all key aspects of women's health care products. The measure of success for providers, however, is their willingness to serve this customer base with individualized attention, service and sensitivity.

Although reconstruction following breast cancer surgery is on the rise, longer survival rates and breast-conserving surgeries have created a strong demand for new products, says Larry Knudsen, vice president of sales for CAMP Healthcare.

“The overall market for breast prostheses has remained relatively stable during the last couple of years,” he says. “With the advent of new surgical techniques for breast cancer, there has been a decline in the number of new mastectomy clients that require an external prosthesis; however, the breast cancer survivor is living longer post-surgery, and as a result there is continuing demand for external prostheses. In addition, breast-conserving surgical procedures create a demand for new types of products that deal with individual post-surgical needs.”

Not Necessarily New But Definitely Improved

Although manufacturers have not revamped the process for building a better breast form — silicone is the best choice for breast prostheses — they are going to great lengths to improve the end product.

Light, cool and comfortable are the optimal goals for breast forms, says Christine Voet, product manager for Airway, a division of Surgical Appliance Industries. Airway's newest products incorporate a microfiber backing that is designed to wick perspiration away from the skin.

Amoena has also focused on comfort in its latest generation of products. “We are using the newest technology of lightweight silicone to come up with such forms that are attractive to a considerably large population of the women,” says David Simic, the company's vice president and general manager. “We offer one- and two-layer breast forms, contact breast forms and a line that incorporates a soft gel back.”

CAMP Healthcare's Radiant Impressions breast form is a custom breast prosthesis that is actually hand-crafted from a body cast impression, says Nikki Giamarino, CAMP's breast care product manager.