October is breast cancer awareness month. Women who have had surgery for this cancer are all too aware of how their bodies have changed as a result.

A woman might lose confidence in herself because of her appearance after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy (the removal of the breast tumour or 'the lump' and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it).

Ms Serena Wee, 39, is one of the three owners of Can-Care, a shop that caters to female cancer patients.

She recalls a customer walking into the shop hugging a cushion close to her chest.

After Ms Wee had fitted her with a silicon prosthetic breast form and a mastectomy bra, the customer revealed that she was relieved to be able to get rid of the cushion. Since her mastectomy three years ago, she had become self-conscious and had been using it to shield her uneven bosom.

Ms Wee said: 'Aside from the obvious physical suffering women battling cancer face, there's also the matter of self-esteem. Women feel that their breasts and hair are such big parts of their femininity and it's important to be sensitive about that."

A correctly fitted prosthetic breast form can also help a woman maintain a balanced posture after her mastectomy. A silicon prosthetic breast form at Can-Care costs from $138 to $274. Customers usually replace their breast forms every two to three years.

Most of the store's customers are referred by doctors. Some 35 per cent are foreigners, with some coming from as far away as the Middle East.

Janet (not her real name), 47, had a mastectomy over two years ago. A team from Can-Care visited her after her surgery to tell her about the store and to give her a free mastectomy bra and a foam breast form to wear after her surgery.

Unlike silicon prosthetic breast forms which are heavier, foam breast forms are light and thus more suitable during the mastectomy recovery period.

Happy to have found people sympathetic to her needs, Janet later bought a silicon breast form from the store. The self-confessed lingerie addict recalled that she had initially been reluctant to buy mastectomy bras.

'Most were very matronly with broad straps and boring designs. I like bright colours and sexy lace so I thought I'd just go back to wearing my usual bras,' said the freelance public relations professional.

However, she soon realised that she could no longer wear her old lingerie.

'The silicon breast form would flop around and hang in an unnatural way in my old bras,' she said.

Although there is another distributor of silicon prosthetic breast forms in Singapore and some pharmacies and clinics offer them too, Can-Care says it is the only retail store of its kind in Singapore.

It is a one-stop shop for breast cancer patients. Aside from silicon prosthetic breast forms in a range of shapes and sizes, the store also stocks mastectomy bras, medical-grade wigs that are cooler and lighter than regular fashion wigs and swimwear including bikinis.

The mastectomy bras and swimwear sold at the store are all designed with pockets to hold the medical-grade silicone breast forms that are sold in the shop. Its lingerie comes in a range of styles and designs, from smooth T-shirt bras to lacy embroidered ones.

Prices for the bras range from $56 to $92. The swim suits and bikinis cost from $130.

Can-Care is at 06-03 Orchard Shopping Centre. Tel: 6736-3168.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Oct 9, 2008.