A student designer is doing her best to bring joy to cancer survivors by developing colourful, comfortable prosthetic breasts.
Rosie Brave, a student at the ñ studying towards a research masters (ResM) in Digital Art and Technology, was inspired to make a difference after hearing about a friendñޙs motherñޙs struggle with the breast form she was given following surgery.
So along with the friend, Sam Jackman, Rosie started Boost, aiming to radically rethink the design of breast prostheses and come up with something that could give pleasure to wearers. The models they have created are colourful, lightweight and breathable, and designed via a collaborative process with those who have gone through the trauma of breast cancer and mastectomy.
Rosie said:
ñޜThe idea came from Samñޙs mother having a mastectomy, and hating the prosthesis she had. Iñޙm always questioning why things are the way they are and how they can be better, and I love colour. Part of the issue with the prosthesis was that it was beige, and it was bland, and it didnñޙt match her skin tone. It was trying to look real but failing.
ñޜWe just thought it was much more interesting to depart from trying to be realistic at all, and have some fun with it.ñޝ
Post-mastectomy, patients can opt for breast reconstruction, but many choose not to go down that route. For these people, the NHS offers breast prostheses that can go inside a specialised bra with a pocket, or a normal bra. But Rosie and Sam cite NHS figures suggesting wellbeing is lower in women who do not opt for reconstruction.
Rosieñޙs university research has led her to choose a co-design process that involves other people, through design workshops and focus groups. She has also worked with 3D printing technology, allowing her to move away from realism in the design of her breast forms, and experiment with different concepts and structures. She has run a number of sessions where breast prosthesis users have given feedback on her ideas, and events where users have been able to design their own.
Rosie and Samñޙs biggest challenge is finding a way to bring down the cost of manufacture. Rosie continued:
ñޜThe standard NHS prosthesis is hot, heavy and sweaty to wear. That was one of the first things we discovered, we thought if we can make it look attractive then weñޙre winning, but actually the feedback was, you need to deal with the heaviness and the hotness.
ñޜThatñޙs why we started to create things that were breathable, with an open structure that would let the air pass through. This structure is also part of the decorative element, but manufacturing it is quite tricky.
ñޜThatñޙs where 3D printing comes in, but unfortunately the cost of 3D printing in silicone is currently prohibitive, and people really want something affordable. Theyñޙre spending a fortune on specialised bras after surgery, and if they want additional prostheses from the NHS they have to buy them. The costs add up, so making an expensive product, even if it would be more comfortable to wear, didnñޙt really sit right.ñޝ
She added:
ñޜIf someone has had a limb amputation itñޙs quite apparent, but this is hidden, and sometimes peopleñޙs best friends donñޙt even know. Thatñޙs fine if thatñޙs what you want, but I donñޙt think everyone wants that. I think itñޙs still taboo, and weñޙre trying to push back against that a little.
ñޜSome of the people we spoke to had this attitude of ñޘoh well, it doesnñޙt matter, I donñޙt matter, I just have to get on with itñޙ. Theyñޙre used to the way things have always been, and they donñޙt expect their prosthesis to be something fun that gives them joy. I think thereñޙs an opportunity to change that.ñޝ
