Friends' Place

Contact Friends' Place

617-632-2211

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Shop Online

After a cancer diagnosis, you may feel as though you have lost control of your body. This is a common reaction: not only may you be facing a life-threatening disease, but you may also be experiencing changes in your physical appearance as a result of cancer treatment.

At Friends' Place, we offer the tools you need to reclaim some of what you feel is lost. Our mission is to provide hope, support, and healing in a caring environment.

The creation of Friends' Place (formerly Friends' Boutique) came from a conviction that in addition to expert medical care, people with cancer benefit from psychological and educational services to help manage the ways it affects an individual's quality of life.

Being able to take charge of your appearance is such an important part of the healing process. This unique store provides one-stop shopping that is welcoming and supportive for those we serve.

Visiting Friends' Place

Friends' Place, located on the first floor of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, offers personalized consultation for men, women, teens, and children experiencing temporary or permanent appearance changes following cancer treatment. 

Our experienced, compassionate staff can suggest a variety of ways to minimize the physical effects of cancer therapy, including radiation, chemotherapy, breast surgeries and other cancer surgeries.

In addition to a physical store, our online boutique sells a range of specialty products, including wigs, head coverings, skincare items, books, and gifts. 

Appointments and Consultations

You can make an appointment to choose a wig, be fitted for compression garments or breast prostheses, learn how to wrap bandanas and scarves, and other useful tips.

Do I need to make an appointment before coming into Friends' Place?

We encourage you to make an appointment for a compression garment, wig fitting, breast prosthesis, or bra fitting so that we can ensure you receive our full attention without waiting. Scheduling ahead also means we can verify your prescription and insurance information, which will minimize your waiting time when you do come in for your fitting consultation.

If we are able to accommodate walk-ins we will be more than happy to help you. You can be confident that we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Schedule a Telephone Consultation

We are also offering consultations over the phone. Contact the Friends' Place with any questions, or to schedule a call.

Do I need to bring a prescription to my appointment at Friends' Place?

Because many of the items are covered by your insurance, you will need to get a prescription from your doctor and either bring it with you on the day of your appointment, or fax it to us at 617-751-7015 prior to your appointment.

A typical prescription for a breast prosthesis, camisoles, and bras would say the following:
  • "Breast prosthesis for (right, left, or bilateral) and (quantity) prosthetic bras for diagnosis and (quantity)."
A typical prescription for a hair prosthesis would say the following:
  • "Hair prosthesis for (diagnosis) (and indicate quantity)"
A typical prescription for a lymphedema garment would say the following:

"Compression garment for (arm, hand) (right, left, bilateral), for (diagnosis). Compression of (amount of pressure to be specified by doctor, generally 20-30mg or 30-40 mg.)" and indicate quantity

Tips and Resources

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Choosing a Wig

Boston's WCVB TV Channel 5 reporter Kelley Tuthill shares tips for selecting a wig and wearing it with confidence.

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Tips for Tying a Headscarf

Watch WCVB TV reporter Kelley Tuthill, a breast cancer survivor treated at Dana-Farber, demonstrate three different ways to tie a headscarf.