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Support
Coping with Challenges
A Complete Range of Services
Breast Prostheses/Bras
Hairpieces


A World Away
Stress…chemotherapy…radiation therapy…fatigue. Unfortunately, these facets of treatment are only too familiar to patients coping with cancer. Yet there is a place to ease the challenges posed by cancer treatment – The Image Enhancement Center at USC/Norris Cancer Hospital.

When patients undergoing cancer treatment visit the Image Enhancement Center, they are transported to a world far, far away from needles and medical technology. While the Center, with its warm and inviting atmosphere, is physically located on the first floor of the USC/Norris Cancer Hospital, it offers services usually found in an elegant salon – not a medical facility. Men and women receive comprehensive, individualized assistance from specially trained, caring staff and volunteers.

Support, Understanding, Resources

We’re here for you every step of the way
Studies have shown that looking one’s best plays an important role in the recovery process. Presenting a positive image produces positive reactions, allowing individuals to continue daily routines at home, school, the workplace and with friends. The Image Enhancement Center is a key resource on the road to recovery.

The Center is open to anyone in the community whose life has been altered by a diagnosis of cancer.

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Coping With Challenges
Patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation may experience alterations in their appearance, including hair loss and changes in complexion. The Image Enhancement Center is designed to help individuals – both men and women – cope with these cosmetic and physical challenges through education and the availability of specialized products.

The Center’s specially trained staff and volunteers provide the techniques and encouragement necessary to help patients maintain a positive self-image in their everyday lives.

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A Comprehensive Range of Services
At the Image Enhancement Center, experience, compassionate consultants provide information on appearance – from hair alternatives to proper skin care and prosthesis fitting.

In addition, products related to beauty are available for purchase. These include skin care products, hair alternatives, and accessories such as hats, wigs, scarves, and head-wraps, breast prostheses and customized bras and non-metallic deodorants and sunblocks.

Through USC/Norris’ comprehensive library of patient education materials, visitors at The Image Enhancement Center can also receive nutrition, fitness, and wellness tips that can benefit their physical and emotional health.

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Insurance Coverage

Breast Prostheses/Bras: Medicare and some insurance companies may cover the cost of breast prosthesis and prosthetic bras. For more information about items covered (and the frequency they are covered), it is strongly recommended that you first check with Medicare or your health insurance provider for the most up-to-date coverage information.
If the items are covered by your insurance, please bring a prescription from your physician (or HMO authorization requested by your primary physician). The prescription (or HMO authorization) should state the diagnosis, right, left, or bilateral breast prosthesis, and the number of prosthetic bras needed.

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Hairpieces: Total or partial hair loss may be experienced during medical therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. With chemotherapy, hair does not usually grow back until therapy is complete. With radiation, hair regrowth may or may not occur, depending on the amount of radiation to the area. Regrowth may take three to six months.

Medicare does not cover hairpieces. Also, most insurance policies do not specify which prostheses are excluded from coverage. Read the policy carefully. For hair prostheses, you’ll need a prescription from your physician stating: “Cranial hair prosthesis for medical purposes. Alopecia secondary to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.” Ask your physician about wording to be used for hair loss resulting burns and so forth. Some experts suggest that when submitting this prescription to your insurance carrier that you include a letter from your physician and a photo of yourself without hair stating that it is medical, not cosmetic, needs.

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