October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in this Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices feature, Women’s Collective Ireland–Donegal highlights an important local service available to women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. We met up with Martina Gillespie and Fiona, post-surgery care specialist’s and prosthesis fitters from the Lingerie Department at McElhinneys in Ballybofey, to learn more about the service available to women across Donegal and how they can access this specialist care.
What service does McElhinneys offer?
We offer one-to-one appointments with our trained mastectomy specialists in a private fitting room. During these appointments, we provide specialist bra fittings and prosthesis fittings. We also fit women for pocketed swimsuits designed to accommodate a prosthesis.
Women who have undergone mastectomy surgery are entitled to two free post-mastectomy bras per year and a prosthesis every two years. Women who have had a double mastectomy may be entitled to two prostheses every two years. A free pocketed swimsuit per year is also available under a newer entitlement introduced in 2025.
We are delighted to provide this service to our customers, and it is available to both medical card holders and non-medical card holders, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
What experience do you want women to take away from their appointment?
We want women to leave feeling confident and happy, knowing they can feel comfortable and confident in the clothes they wear. It is also important to us that every woman has a positive experience with her care fitter and feels supported throughout the process.
How did you become a specialist in post-mastectomy bra fitting?
We begin as trained bra fitters, gaining experience and developing our knowledge before undertaking further training as specialist care fitters. We are certified through Trulife and Anita, and we continue to receive training and develop our skills to improve the service we provide to women.
How can women access the service?
To access a care fitting, women need to complete a form and have it signed by their doctor. These forms are available directly from the McElhinneys Lingerie Department.
Once the form is completed, women can make an appointment with the specialist team and bring the signed paperwork with them. The team will carry out the fitting and complete the necessary paperwork, allowing women to take their items home with them.
What women are saying about the service
One customer shared her experience:
“The staff made the entire process seamless by taking me through the mastectomy process and also handling the paperwork for the HSE claim, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing.”
Having access to knowledgeable, compassionate support can make a real difference to women following breast cancer surgery. This service offers practical assistance in a private and supportive environment, helping women feel comfortable, informed and confident.
Join McElhinneys for a Breast Cancer Awareness Coffee Morning
Women are invited to visit the Lingerie Department at McElhinneys on Friday, 23 October, from 12 noon to 4 pm for a special coffee morning to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This is an opportunity to meet the trained team, enjoy a cuppa, ask questions and find out more about the specialist post-surgery fitting service available locally.
The team would love to welcome you, whether you are looking for information for yourself or supporting someone who may benefit from the service.
To arrange an appointment with the specialist team, contact the McElhinneys Lingerie Department on (074) 913 1217.
Let’s Get Checking, Ladies!
Breast awareness and early detection are important. If you are aged between 50 and 69 and are not already registered with BreastCheck, Ireland’s free national breast screening programme, you can register through the BreastCheck website.
To be eligible for routine breast screening, you must:
- Be aged between 50 and 69.
- Live in Ireland and have a Personal Public Service (PPS) number.
Breast screening can help detect breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. When breast cancer is detected early, treatment can be more effective and the chances of recovery are generally better.
Please remember: Breast screening is intended for women who do not have symptoms. If you notice any changes in your breasts, have symptoms that concern you, or are worried about your breast health, whatever your age, contact your GP for advice rather than waiting for a screening appointment.
At Women’s Collective Ireland–Donegal, we believe that sharing information about local services helps women feel informed, supported and empowered to look after their health.
Knowledge, connection and access to support can make a real difference.
