A good fitting mastectomy bra will help your posture, give you confidence in your outerwear, and make you feel so much more comfortable. It is advisable to measure yourself regularly and especially if you are going to buy a new bra. Measuring for a mastectomy bra is a little different than measuring for a bra.
Whether you have had a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy or full mastectomy you can use the following steps to measure for a mastectomy bra and work out your correct bra size.
What is the difference between a bra and a mastectomy bra?
A mastectomy bra can look like a normal bra; however it’s the design that makes them different. The design of a good mastectomy bra provides comfort and support. Most mastectomy bras now have a pocket in each cup which is designed to hold a breast prosthesis or breast form securely.
What do you need prior to measuring for a mastectomy bra?
It is advisable to wear a soft bra while you are doing the measurements. A padded or t-shirt bra is not ideal as the padding will increase the measurement and this will give you a bigger cup size than what you actually need.
Secondly you need a tape measure. If you don’t have a tape measure to do the measurements, you can order a bra fitting toolkit from us here at Linnoco by filling out the Online Bra Fitting Service form. We will post the bra fitting toolkit to you free of charge. Or you can email info@linnoco.com with your name and address and we will arrange for a bra fitting tool kit to be sent to you.
Follow these steps to measure for a mastectomy bra:
Step 1
The first measurement that you will take is in relation to your band size.
This measurement is taken under the bust. The tape measure should sit tightly to the body, at the same height front and back and be parallel to the floor with no twists or turns on the tape. You will use the inches size of the tape.
See the diagram Point A (dark blue line)
Measurement guide for mastectomy bra
If you get an even number you need to add 4” to this number
EG 34” + 4” =38” this is your band size
If you get an odd number you add 5”
EG 33” + 5” =38”
If you find you get a number in between a whole number like 33.4” then you around this down to the nearest whole number which works out at 32”
And alternatively if you get 33.7” you round up to nearest whole number of 34”
Step 2
This measurement is used to work out your cup size.
You are going to measure the un-operated side or remaining breast.
Take the tape measure and place the start of the tape at the sternum and bring the tape over the breast toward the back. You stop measuring at the middle of your back.
Alternatively you can place the start of the tape at the centre of your back and bring it round to the sternum if you find this easier, especially for the reading of the measurement.
The tape needs to be at the fullest part of the breast which is normally the nipple line. Again,the measuring tape needs to be flat against the body with no twists. It does not need to be as tight as the measurement in step 1 but should still be snug to the body.
See the diagram Point B (light blue line)
Measurement guide for mastectomy bra
Again if it’s not a whole number either round it up or down to the nearest whole number
Then multiple this number by 2.
EG 20.5” is rounded to 21” then multiple it by 2 which will give a measurement of 42”
Step 3
Take the measurement from Step 1 away from the Step 2 measurement
EG 42 – 38 = 4
This gives a difference of 4
Using the chart below this difference gives a cup size of a D
Now add your band size of 38 to cup size of D and your bra size is 38D
You can use the chart to work out your cup size once you have the difference between the two measurements
Difference (inches) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Cup Size | AA | A | B | C | D | DD | F | G | H |
Check out our video on How to measure for a mastectomy bra where we walk you through the steps above.
You can now use these bra measurements to purchase a mastectomy bra either online or shop in a store.
Remember there are many different types of bras and you may need to try on different styles to work out which suits you best.
If you have any queries or would like to order a free bra fitting toolkit, please get in touch through our contact us page, email info@linnoco.com or phone 053 9106190.
