Mastectomy Bras & Breast Forms in Canada| Funding Guide

Recovering from breast surgery raises questions about comfort, fit, and cost. This guide covers what to wear, when fittings usually happen, and how provincial programs, including Ontario's Assistive Devices Program (ADP), help pay for a breast prosthesis.

Post-Surgery Wear: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes a mastectomy bra different from a regular bra?

A: Mastectomy bras have interior pockets that hold a breast prosthesis securely. They are often wire-free, with soft fabrics, gentle seams, and wider straps to reduce pressure on healing skin. The best choice depends on your comfort, recovery stage, and whether you plan to wear a prosthesis.

Q: What should I wear immediately after surgery?

A: Your care team may recommend a specific post-surgical bra or compression garment. Many people find a soft, front-closing style easiest at first, since it avoids lifting your arms. Follow your surgeon's instructions, especially while incisions are healing or drains are in place, and ask when you can switch to a mastectomy bra or prosthesis.

Q: When can I be fitted for a breast prosthesis?

A: For many people, a permanent silicone prosthesis fitting is possible roughly five to eight weeks after surgery or radiation, once healing is well along and swelling has settled. Some people need to wait longer. Lightweight temporary forms may be used earlier if your care team approves. Your fitter and healthcare provider can help you choose the right time.

Q: Where can I find a breast form and mastectomy bra fitting near me?

A: Start with your provincial program's list of approved suppliers, such as authorized ADP vendors in Ontario, since buying from an unapproved supplier may make you ineligible for funding. Your surgeon, cancer centre, or care team can also point you to qualified fitters in your area. If an in-person fitting is hard to reach, email us and our team can recommend breast form and mastectomy bra combinations to suit you.

Ontario ADP Funding for Breast Prostheses

The ADP provides a grant toward an external silicone breast prosthesis for eligible Ontario residents with a valid Ontario health card.

• Standard ADP grant: $195 per side for a full silicone prosthesis, $105 per side for a partial one.
• Higher grant for social assistance recipients (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, or Assistance to Children with Severe Disability): $260 per side for a full prosthesis, $140 per side for a partial one.

Good to know before you buy

• Fixed grant, not full coverage. You pay any difference between the grant and the retail price.
• Pay first, then apply. Pay the retailer in full, then submit your application to the ADP.
• Silicone only. Non-silicone forms, temporary forms, and implants are not funded.
• Limited replacements. You can generally apply to replace a prosthesis after two years.
• Bras are separate. The ADP grant does not cover bras. Check with your private insurer.

Rates and rules can change. Confirm current details on the Ontario government's breast prostheses page or at adp@ontario.ca, and check eligibility before you purchase.

Breast Prosthesis Funding in Other Provinces

Programs differ across Canada. These amounts are maximums, not a promise of full coverage, and most programs require you to buy from an approved supplier.

• Alberta: Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) covers full and partial prostheses and a fitter fee. You pay 25% of the cost, up to $500 per family per benefit year. Seniors pay no cost-share, and low-income Albertans may qualify for an exemption. Alberta.ca
• British Columbia: PharmaCare covers up to $450 per side after a mastectomy and $350 after a lumpectomy, generally every two years. Your plan rules, including any deductible, apply. BC PharmaCare
• Manitoba: The Manitoba Breast Prosthesis Program offers up to $400 per prosthesis plus up to $70 for one bra, or up to $800 per prosthesis if it has a four-year warranty. CancerCare Manitoba
• Quebec: RAMQ reimburses up to $536 for a full breastform and $316 for a partial one, per breast every 24 months. Amounts are indexed each January, and you must buy in Quebec. The program covers the breastform itself, not bras. RAMQ
• Nova Scotia: A rebate of up to $300 per prosthesis every two years. Households earning under $30,000 a year can receive up to $450 per prosthesis (maximum $750 every two years) plus up to $75 toward a supporting bra. Nova Scotia Health
• New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island: New Brunswick covers prostheses and one bra every two years at no cost for residents who qualify through its prosthetic program. Prince Edward Island offers a free initial prosthesis and adapted bra through Health PEI. Contact each program for eligibility.
• Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and the territories: We are not aware of a public breast prosthesis program. Check your private insurance, and ask the Canadian Cancer Society about free accessories such as puffs and bras (1-888-939-3333).

How to Support a Loved One Through Recovery

• Offer specific help. Bring a meal, pick up a prescription, or drive to an appointment instead of saying "Let me know if you need anything."
• Respect their choices. People approach appearance and comfort after surgery in different ways.
• Listen without fixing. A calm, non-judgmental presence is often the most valuable support.
• Not sure what to choose? Contact Us and our team can recommend breastform and mastectomy bra combinations that suit your loved one's comfort, style, and stage of recovery.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations about post-surgical garments, healing, and the timing of a prosthesis fitting. Program eligibility, funding amounts, and requirements vary by province and may change. Confirm current details with your provincial program before purchasing.