NEW PRODUCT GIVES BREAST CANCER PATIENTS ANOTHER OPTION

Carol Lamontagne, of Greensburg, said she was suddenly forced into the sisterhood of women with breast cancer.

She found a lump in July, was diagnosed in August, had a course of chemotherapy and soon faces surgery of unknown extent.

“It might be a double mastectomy, but if that’s what you have to do, that’s what you have to do,” She said. “I’m OK with that, but I didn’t think I would be.”

Lamontagne was recently at Wigs 'n More, near Latrobe, to study her post-surgical options. She was impressed with a new state-of-the-art prosthesis by ContourMed Inc. Representative Bridget Whelan was fitting mastectomy patients and providing information on the company’s product.

The CountourMed prosthesis differs from common silicone styles. It weighs ounces, not pounds, is cool and comfortable, and stays in place in almost any bra.

The product was developed by Dan Eaton, one of less than 100 occularists in the United States, Whelan said.

They are very specialized experts who rebuild body and facial parts for people who have been in accidents or have undergone surgery.

Eaton attended medical school, studied plastic surgery and trained worldwide for the specialty. One day a patient asked him, “If you can do this for my face, why can’t you make a breast like that for my body?” Whelan said.

Challenged with that concept, Eaton worked through the Arkansas Cancer Research Center at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. He founded ContourMed in 1998.

The company is expanding on the East Coast, and Wigs 'n More is the first location in Pennsylvania to offer its product.

The difficult recovery from cancer is made more challenging by physical changes faced by survivors. That is where the experienced and caring staff of Wigs 'n More Mastectomy Boutique is able to help. By providing counseling in everything from natural-looking hair pieces and specially formulated cosmetics to custom-fitted breast prosthetics from manufacturers such as ContourMed tm and fashion accessories, these women are truly committed to enhancing their customers self-esteem.

“One of the most satisfying feelings for us is seeing a breast cancer survivor looking in the mirror and smiling at her reflection. You can actually see her regaining self-confidence!” says owner Kathy Hendrickson.

By participating in the Wig Grant Program through the American Cancer Society, as well as accepting most insurance, they are helping more women every day to lead active fulfilling lives.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for a fitting, call Wigs ‘n More Mastectomy Boutique at 724-532-1901, or visit the website at www.wigsandtangles.com. Wigs 'n More Mastectomy Boutique is located at 5924 Route 981 Suite 3, Latrobe, PA 15650.