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Deciding on treatment	Looking after yourself	Breast prostheses
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Breast prostheses

Many women who've had all or part of their breast(s) removed because of breast cancer find themselves thinking a lot about having and not having breasts.

These women say their experience raises many complex questions about womanliness or femininity. They often find that these questions influence their body image and their choices about using a breast form (prosthesis) after surgery. Temporary breast forms may be provided immediately after surgery.

Women may not deal with these issues in the same way - it may depend on personality, the support a woman has around her, the resources available to her and the way she sees the world.

Whatever you do and however you cope, the most important thing is that it's right for you.

The factsheets below are for any women who've had all or part of a breast removed because of breast cancer. They aim to answer some common questions about breast forms.

External breast prostheses reimbursement program

The Commonwealth Government can provide a reimbursement for both new and replacement external breast prostheses for Australian women who've had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer. See the Medicare website's page on its External breast prosthesis reimbursement program for details.