Quebec, 1st Canadian province to cover full cost of prosthetics

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Toronto, Apr 11 (Canadian-Media):  Quebec, which reports 6,000 new cases of breast cancer every year, will now cover the cost of breast prosthetics for cancer patients who have undergone complete or partial mastectomies, Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette said Tuesday morning, media reports said.

​Gaétan Barrette. Image credit: Facebook page

The cost of this program will reportedly be $3.6 million per year. 

Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation reported that in Quebec one woman out of eight were diagnosed with breast cancer and that 70 percent of patients undergo some form of mastectomy.     

A breast prosthetic can cost up to $425 for a woman who has had a complete mastectomy, and $250 for someone who lost only part of the breast.  

Before this announcement was made, Quebec was covering 50 percent of the cost of gel, silicone or fabric prosthetics placed inside a bra, unlike surgical implants which are not covered. 

10,000 women will reportedly will be eligible to access this program every year. 

"We are very happy to hear this," said Karine Iseult Ippersiel, vice-president of development at the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.

"When a woman goes through a mastectomy, it's the self-esteem that takes the biggest hit," said Iseult Ippersiel. "You can't hide it."

This program would enable the womenm to change their prosthetics for free every two years.

"They are expensive," said Iseult Ippersiel. "You don't own 12 pairs like a pair of shoes."


(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)