Brassiere-Wearing Practices and Issues among Post-mastectomy Women: A Systematic Review

This systematic review was carried out to appraise the evidence regarding the brassiere-wearing practices and problems faced by breast cancer survivors. An electronic search was carried out across eight databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Embase, CINAHL and ProQuest. Two researchers independently screened the studies for their eligibility and study quality. A total of 309 studies were assessed for eligibility. After conflict resolution by the third reviewer, five studies were selected for systematic review. All study outcomes in terms of the pattern of brassieres/prostheses, issues and challenges faced by women post-mastectomy were reviewed. It was observed that very few studies were published from various countries all over the world. All the studies were of descriptive type except one, which adopted a prospective randomised crossover design. The brassieres or prostheses, the survivors preferred were homemade made of cotton, cloth, wool, rice, sponge or commercially silicon-made. Weight of the brassiere/prostheses, discomfort, displacement while doing activities of daily living and impaired body image were common issues identified, while the unavailability of size or fit of the brassieres or requirement of alteration in clothes to meet clothing styles were common challenges faced by post-mastectomy women. It was concluded that the post- mastectomy used varied types of brassieres or prostheses with various associated issues and challenges.