The new skin-tone softies for women of colour
(Picture: Dominik Tyler)Women of colour in the UK who have had a mastectomy will, for the first time, be offered soft prosthetics in a range of realistic skin colours.
Women with breast cancer are often provided with a lightweight fabric prosthesis to wear after the procedure, known as a “softie”.
Research indicates the trauma of breast surgery can be lessened if the patient has a softie that matches their skin tone.
The launch of the new prosthetics ties into the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Black History Month.
They have been unveiled by clinicians from London’s Royal Marsden Hospital in partnership with Nubian Skin, following funding from the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The new range of covers comes in seven sizes of four colours: berry, cinnamon, caramel, and café au lait.
Softies are worn after a mastectomy. Some women use them on a temporary basis while awaiting reconstructive surgery or a permanent silicon prosthetic, but many use them long-term as they can be more comfortable than other options.
Despite being used widely across the UK, a survey of 100 women of colour found nearly 74 per cent of those who use a softie, prosthetic breast, or nipple were not offered one that matched their skin tone.
As a result, the new inclusive softie range hopes to improve the care women of colour receive following a mastectomy.
Breast surgeon at the Royal Marsden, Natalie Johnson, called the product “a true representation of patient-centred care”, and specialist nurse Sarah Adomah said: “Being given a softie in an inappropriate skin tone can make having a mastectomy even more upsetting.
“Ensuring that all breast-cancer patients are given a softie that’s right for them is vital and I’m so proud to have helped bridge this gap in care.”
The products are currently available for patients at the hospital in Chelsea, west London, but the Royal Marsden hopes to roll them out more widely across the UK.
