• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
• /
• v.1
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2001

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.697-706
• /
• 2001

There are approximately 1,000 patients who undergo mastectomies each year in Korea. However, there is no company who manufactures mastectomy brassieres and breast prosthesis in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the wearing conditions of the imported mastectomy brassieres with breast prosthesis and to develop the better-fitted and comfortable mastectomy brassieres in reasonable price. 254 patients participated in this survey. In the results of our survey, 117 out of the 254 patients were wearing mastectomy brassieres and breast prostheses, which have been imported mostly from USA. The degree of satisfaction at wearing mastectomy brassieres was low. The patients generally feel hot when wearing mastectomy brassieres, specially in summer and also pointed out the heavy weight of breast prosthesis and the discomfort in wearing mastectomy brassiere for a long period of time.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.5-18
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to suggest size specifications for the development of mastectomy bras and breast prostheses. To collect anthropometric data, 250 middle aged women's body measurement were taken and the data were analyzed by statistical methods such as ANOVA, correlation analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis. The results of the analysis of measurement data showed that lengths. breadths, depths, circumferences are increased significantly when getting older. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was no direct linear relationship between chest circumference and cup size. From 29 measurements, 4 factors were selected as key factors by the tractor analysis and the breast type were classified into 2 groups by cluster analysis. To set up sizing systems for the mastectomy brassiere, chest circumference and cup size were selected and the loss function was used to decide Intervals of each of them. 6 sizes from chest circumference and 4 sizes from cup sizes were picked, Breast breadth, breast length and breast height were chosen to establish sizing systems for the breast prosthesis. To decide intervals of each of them, the loss function was used and 8 sizes from composition of the 3 factors were picked.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 2016

This study examines the similarities and differences in the clothing habits between a breast-conserving surgery group (68 patients) and a mastectomy group (45 patients). In common, both parties expressed that they did not want to conspicuously display their altered body shape from the surgical procedure, and they also confirmed that they did not want to be treated as breast cancer patients by others. On the other hand, a mastectomy group significantly preferred clothes, bras and breast prostheses which enhance the body silhouette in comparison to the patients who received breast-conserving surgery. However, the patients who received breast mastectomies reported that the bras and breast prostheses available have been expensive with low emotional satisfaction, calling for particular need in specialized clothing for female patients who undergo breast surgery. Hence, this research to further the development of clothes, bras and breast prostheses for Korean women who must undergo breast surgery would be effective in helping to improve body image and quality of life in these women.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.800-812
• /
• 2019

Secondary diseases that occur during the rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors are factors that can negatively change the physical and psychological state of the patient. The rehabilitation after treatment of breast cancer survivors is an important process to prevent cancer recurrence and increase the survival rate because a negative psychological state significantly impacts the long-term survival rate. This study identifies user requirements for the development of functional bras for mastectomy patients in Korea. Participants included 133 patients with one or more breasts removed due to breast cancer and an average age of 53.2 years (53.21 ± 7.57 years, minimum 33 years, maximum 69 years). Women in their 50s had the highest participation rate of 48.9%. Most maintained the same bra size before surgery; however, some experienced changes in bra size because they are not irritated by wounds caused by surgery. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to material when designing a functional bra because it can irritate the surgical site. Only about 41.4% of bras were worn by breast cancer patients because of price burden and lack of education, not complaints related to clothing design and wearability or body shape. Most purchases at hospitals or medical institutions require consultation with a specialist who provides information about a bra mainly at the hospital. The most important considerations when buying a breast cancer bra were size, fit and shape stability.