Monique Wilson, Cancer Care Coordinator at the Phoebe Cancer Center Boutique and a breast cancer survivor, is using her personal experience to support patients undergoing treatment. Wilson, who was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2016, has been with Phoebe for 20 years and recently became a Certified Mastectomy Fitter. She leads the boutique, which provides medically approved products such as pre- and post-surgical bras, breast prostheses, compression sleeves, wigs, and other accessories for patients before and after surgery.
“This boutique is more than a shop. It’s a place of compassion and hope. When women come in, many are struggling with how they look and feel after surgery. But when they leave, they smile again. They see themselves again,” Wilson said.
The boutique offers personalized fittings and emotional support, with each patient receiving an in-depth consultation and measurement, often before surgery, to ensure the best possible fit after treatment. Wilson explained, “What makes us unique is that we don’t just sell products; we provide personalized fittings and emotional support. Because I’ve been through it, I understand their fears, their frustrations, and their hopes. When they walk through these doors, they’re not just getting a bra or prosthesis. They’re getting compassion.”
Patients can access products that are classified as durable medical equipment, which means many items are covered by insurance. Those without insurance can purchase items directly.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the boutique is holding special sales on October 16 and October 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., offering discounted prices on post-mastectomy bras, camisoles, wigs, prefabricated prostheses, and compression socks. The aim is to raise awareness about the boutique’s services for women in Southwest Georgia.
Wilson’s connection to Phoebe is also personal—her husband Fred works in Transport as a ‘Red Coat,’ and her son Josh is an anesthesia technician in the Operating Room. The family moved to Albany from Newark, New Jersey, after September 11, 2001.
“Moving here was one of the best decisions we made. Phoebe became not just a workplace, but a family,” Wilson said.
Wilson and her husband are active breast cancer advocates, sharing their story nationwide to promote early detection and survivorship. She hopes to expand the boutique’s offerings in the future to include customized prostheses that are digitally scanned for each patient.
“They can even be personalized with tattoo designs or artwork, it’s all about giving each woman something made just for her. My goal is to give back that beauty, self-confidence, and hope. When patients walk out of here, I want them to feel whole again,” Wilson said.
The Phoebe Cancer Center Boutique is open to both insured and self-paid customers at the Phoebe Cancer Center. More information is available by calling 229-312-4012 or visiting phoebehealth.com.
