Since 1997
Today’s travelers have much more to consider with heightened transport security. If you wear silicone breast form, you likely have additional concerns about getting past metal detectors or X-rays and the safety of your breast forms in the air.
While it’s perfectly safe and legal to travel with your silicone breast form, there are some things to know ahead of time.
Passing airport security with breast forms
Well-fitting breast forms are comfortable and unnoticeable to human eyes, but new security technology picks up on breast forms and sometimes triggers an alarm. Luckily, body scanners won’t harm silicone prostheses.
If the body scanner shows your prosthesis, you’ll be asked to step aside to be manually checked by a female security officer. Know that you have the right to request the manual screening in a private area if you prefer.
Security staff is trained to treat breast cancer survivors and others with sensitive conditions with respect. You can alert officers about your breast forms before passing through the body scanners, but you’ll still be subject to normal security measures.
What you can do ahead of time
You aren’t required to take any pre-flight measures to accommodate for your breast forms, but there are some optional steps you can take that might set your mind at ease for your upcoming trip.
You can fill out a printable TSA notification card to alert the security staff about your prosthesis ahead of time. You’ll still need to abide by standard security measures, but this can reduce the stress associated with potentially triggering an alarm.
If you are traveling abroad, it can be helpful to research the security protocol associated with silicone breast prosthesis in that country. Knowing what to expect can reduce the stress of a new situation.
Other things to know
TSA Disabilities and Medical Conditions Procedures assert that you will never be required to remove your prosthesis during a screening, although you can choose to remove it to aid in the process.
You are entitled to request a private screening at any point, and you may be screened with a companion upon request. A security staff member might also ask you to perform the pat-down yourself and then scan your hands for explosives.
You can also check or carry on your silicone prosthesis in a specialized breast form storage container such as the ABC Breast Form Travel and Storage case. They will be subject to x-ray screening, but you won’t have to worry about the 3-1-1 TSA carry-on rule as prostheses are considered a medical necessity. However, you should still place the prosthesis in a ziplock bag before placing it in the cradle of your storage case.
During or after the flight you may notice small black dots appear in your silicone prosthesis. This is due to the change in air pressure and is not harmful to the prosthesis or your skin. These dots are also temporary and will disappear within two weeks.
Many women feel their breast forms expanding at high altitudes. This might be a startling sensation, but the forms will not pop or cause damage to your skin or chest wall.
If you have additional concerns about undertaking new adventures with your breast forms, an accredited breast care and service facility like A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe can offer personalized advice specific to your prosthesis.
The takeaway
It’s perfectly safe and legal to fly with silicone breast prostheses, although you may have to endure a manual pat-down. Whether you choose to wear your breast form, carry it in a personal breast form travel case, or check it to your final destination, you can expect your forms to accompany you on your next trip.
The experienced staff at A Fitting Experience Mastectomy Shoppe are available to answer your additional questions about traveling with silicone breast forms. Call us at (954) 978-8287 so we can assist you.