P-46

In the Netherlands, there are an estimated 80.000 women wearing an external breast prosthesis and globally this is around 10 million. Every year around 4080 Dutch women undergo mastectomy and chose to wear an external breast prosthesis. More than 30% of the current users in the Netherlands are not satisfied with the present-day available products on the cosmetic and medical market. The prostheses offered are often heavy and have problem with sweat management. Unlike limb prosthesis, the external artificial breast is still a topic surrounded by certain discomfort and taboo. There is also a lack of variety in the lingerie options for a post-mastectomy chest in terms of comfort, sexuality and accessories.

The research is oriented towards providing women who have undergone mastectomy with comfortable and empowering solutions based on a process of co-creation together with the client Proud Breast and the target group. The paper seeks to answer the question: What alternative product (in relation to the current breast prosthesis products on the market) can fulfill the utility-/emotional-needs of the women who have undergone a mastectomy so that it can be implemented in the current market?

In the period of five months, desk and field research on existing market and technologies of making external breast prosthesis has been conducted. There have been interviews with 6 women who wear one on a regular basis in order to define design direction and guidelines and two surveys to establish marketing opportunities. Based on the outcomes, a mastectomy asymmetrical bra that has an easily detachable cup has been developed and a light-weight prosthesis that is 30% of the weight of a standard one. Both prototypes have been produced and user-tested by one of the interviewees women.