The supply and fitting of a temporary breast prosthesis.

The fitting of soft breast prostheses is an essential nursing duty on breast cancer surgery wards, but it appears to be performed on an ad hoc basis, without evidence-based guidelines. A diagnosis of breast cancer carries enormous implications for the patient in terms of physical and psychological health. For this reason, it is vital that nurses respond sensitively to these needs and assist women to cope with the changes in body image. This includes ensuring that knowledge underpins practice when fitting the soft breast prosthesis. This article outlines a 12-point plan devised by the authors, giving guidance on how to fit temporary breast prostheses.