THE Cancer Focus bra and swimwear fitting service in Downpatrick has celebrated its first anniversary.
Designed for women who have had breast surgery or who are going through breast cancer, the leading Northern Ireland charity is keen to highlight the benefits of the specialist service and to encourage more women in the mid and South Down area to use it.
Baroness Margaret Ritchie — who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and then had a mastectomy — has used the service and found it hugely helpful.
She said it was useful having such a useful service, based at the town’s Ballymote Centre, on her doorstep.
“Having the service available in Downpatrick means that women do not have to travel to Belfast to get specialist fitting or rely on ordering online,” said the former South Down MP.
“You simply ring or email the service, make an appointment and one of the staff, who are lovely and friendly, will measure and fit you accurately and give you advice.”
Baroness Ritchie revealed that thanks to the staff who provide the service, she discovered that her prosthesis wasn’t the right size and had to get a new one.
She added: “I would recommend the service to anyone who finds they can no longer wear their usual underwear. Feeling good in your clothes gives you a tremendous boost and helps you feel more like your old self.”
Downpatrick woman Betty McKee, who is a volunteer specialist bra-fitter, said that having been through breast cancer, she knows how important services like the one provided by Cancer Focus are.
Betty explained that after surgery and treatment, some women feel less confident in their body and self-image.
“The Cancer Focus service offers personal, one-to-one support, helping each patient choose the right item, in the right size, to suit them,” she explained.
“Feeling good in your clothes can make a real difference and following breast surgery there is no reason why women shouldn’t continue to wear the things they love. Our service helps women find a renewed sense of self-confidence in themselves after a very tough time in their lives.”
Betty said the volunteers who provide the Downpatrick service have been trained on how to measure up properly for bras and swimwear so that clients are getting the best support and shape possible.
She added: “It’s a very discreet and confidential service and we do our best to make people feel at ease. There is a private area where clients can change and tea and coffee is provided.
“The ladies can bring a relative or friend with them too. The fitting service is free of charge and the items are sold at wholesale prices, though there is no obligation to buy. We welcome anyone who needs help with fittings not only in Downpatrick but from the surrounding areas.”
For more information on the service telephone 07971 061 593 or email care@cancerfocusni.org.
Cancer Focus NI also offers a range of other fantastic care services such as counselling, art therapy, a driving service, family support and the ‘sing for life’ choir.
Anyone who may have concerns about cancer is asked to contact the charity’s support and information nurse line, telephone 0800 783 3339 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm or email nurseline@cancderfocusni.org
The free bra and swimwear service based at the Ballymote Centre in Downpatrick is open on Mondays between 10am to 2pm. To make an appointment telephone 07971 061593 or email care@cancerfocusni.org.