We have come a long way in preventing and detecting breast cancer, but still numbers are high in New Zealand and, in fact, around the world. We had a chat with Lyndy Bass about the support she offers to Hawke’s Bay women who have undergone breast cancer surgery and who want to restore their preoperative confidence.
Prior to the 1931 earthquake, a gentleman called Mr Tims brought his sisters out from England and opened a lingerie store under the name of ‘Miss Tims Lingerie’. Lingerie became very fashionable, and soon there were twelve independent lingerie stores in Hawke’s Bay alone.
In those days, such items of clothing were hidden in boxes and certainly never displayed in windows. Miss Tims was very competitive in the marketplace and established the reputation as a destination store attracting customers from all over Hawke’s Bay.
The shop has had a number of owners and a number of significant changes since then. During Sue Robertson and Elsie Iverson’s ownership, the stores reduced to two, both situated in Heretaunga Street, Hastings. Due to ailing health, Elsie Iverson sold the business in 1976 to Sue Robertson’s daughter Susan. Coralie White joined the business a short time later and eventually purchased it herself in 1990. Lyndy Bass, the current owner, continues the legacy and will see the store reach its century of trading, a feat attained by few independent retailers.
The 1990s were a tough time for retail in Hawke’s Bay, with many specialty stores struggling as the larger department stores arrived in town.
Despite the economic climate, Suzelle Lingerie flourished, developing a specialty bra-fitting service. Lyndy says even today a large proportion of women are not wearing the right bra for their bodies, commenting, “It is so important for breast health to be fitted correctly.”
Suzelle Lingerie started a specialised service fitting breast forms and prostheses for postoperative women. The mastectomy prosthesis fittings began with the realisation that women really had no idea where to go after they were released from hospital. They wanted to move on from their cancer ordeal yet were offered very little support or information to set them on their way.
Over the years this business built a reputation around the North Island and has helped countless women restore their confidence, self-esteem and appearance post-op.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and is the number one cancer in women. According to New Zealand records, rates of breast cancer have increased slightly over the past twenty years for both wāhine Māori and non-Māori women.
There are probably multiple reasons for this trend, including increased exposure to factors associated with breast cancer. However, Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, also recognise the increase may be reflective of the expansion of the age range for the national breast screening programme. In 2004, screening was originally offered to women aged 50 to 64 years and then expanded to 45 to 69, leading to an increase in the detection of breast cancer.
In a study of New Zealand women, supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, 52% of women diagnosed with breast cancer received breast conserving surgery and 44% had mastectomy over the study period.
The report suggested key influences associated with conservative surgery were age, mode of diagnosis, socioeconomic status, and public or private treatment. “With the percentage of women surviving breast cancer increasing, particularly with early detection, the need to focus on postoperative care is an important part of the journey,” Lyndy says.
What is important is being able to help women who are sometimes embarrassed at having to talk to a total stranger about what is a very personal matter. “Instead of hiding their figures under their clothes, they leave with more confidence – in fact, usually with a big smile,” Lyndy says.
With over 30 years’ experience in fitting bras and breast forms, Suzelle Lingerie is recognised widely in the fitting of breast prostheses. Lyndy and Faith have so many stories of ladies finding a new skip in their step after a prothesis fitting following mastectomy and lumpectomy operations.
“Breast cancer is hard on the body – physically, emotionally and spiritually,” says Lyndy. “It’s normal to feel ‘changed’, to lack confidence in your body and how you look. Some women say they feel less feminine.”
A breast prosthesis is a breast form that can fit in a bra to make your breasts look natural and balanced. The prosthesis can replace the whole breast (mastectomy) or a part of the breast after a wide local excision (lumpectomy, breast-conserving surgery and partial mastectomy).
Most breast prostheses are made from soft silicone gel encased in a thin film.
“Fast-forwarding to today, technology is constantly evolving,” says Lyndy. “We are always looking for the latest products to offer our customers, and we stock as many brands as we can get our hands on – including great-fitting bras, lingerie, swimwear, breast forms, and swimming and leisure forms.”
The last word from Lyndy: Monitor your health, know your own breasts, and if you see a change, make sure you get them checked – this may help reduce the risks of breast cancer.
