Many women who have undergone a mastectomy are unaware that they are entitled to a recurring grant to buy bras and prosthetics, the owner of a bra fitting service has said. 

Since January last year, those who have had a mastectomy are entitled to €400 that can be spent on buying two bras and one prosthesis every year. Women who have undergone a double mastectomy  are entitled to €650 per year. 

There is also an additional entitlement to €150 for a prosthesis and a swimsuit, rising to €215 for those who have undergone a double mastectomy. 

On Moncrieff, Sinéad Sanderson, who owns Peaches and Cream bra fitting service, said few know the details of the allowance. 

“I have friends that didn't even know about the service,” she said. 

“They thought it was a once off, number one. 

“But also they weren't aware at all about swimwear - swimwear was always elusive.”

A display of women's bras on sale. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Ms Sanderson noted that the allowance is available annually, meaning women can really “build your bra wardrobe with this allowance” and there are plenty of different options. 

She noted that there are a number of different types of prosthetics to suit different tastes and needs. 

“There's obviously the temporary form,” she explained. 

“They're called breast forms or a prosthesis that's something that you'd have immediately after surgery, a good six to eight week period where it's much more cotton and lined and it's a lighter fabric to allow healing.

“Then you went to the permanent form and there's silicone, there's lightweight silicone - there's so many different types.

“There's foam filled - which are virtually weightless - and what they're more used for is exercise, or if you're on holidays in a hot country.” 

Ms Sanderson said applying for the allowance is “very easy” and all that is required is a PPS number and doctor’s letter. 

“It's either through your GP or through your consultant,” she said. 

“You simply have to get them to sign a letter that says that ‘Mary is entitled to this, she has been through a mastectomy or a double mastectomy’. 

“Then there'll be a list of two bras, one prosthesis, plus the swimwear and they just tick the boxes.

“All we need as a registered vendor and somebody that supplies this service is a PPS number.”

Main image: Bras in a shop. Picture by: Alamy.com.