This Singapore lingerie maker designs stylish bras for breast cancer survivors
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is life-changing and can bear on a woman in many means beyond physical wellness. The emotional impact can be every bit overwhelming – coming to terms with the diagnosis, as well as finding the backbone to boxing cancer and the decision to become though treatment takes tenacity.
Learning to encompass the physical changes in 1'south body post-obit breast surgery, be it a lumpectomy or mastectomy, is still another emotional journey. It differs dramatically for every woman, naturally, because everyone's personal view on body image is unlike and unique. One thing that's the same, however, is the fact that it has changed permanently and that, ultimately, a salubrious recovery takes priority over everything.
These aside, certain dressing habits are no longer the same, too. For one, it is not uncommon for these women to notice that the bras that they used to vesture no longer fit well, nor provide acceptable back up and even flexibility for their needs.
A new lingerie wardrobe is necessary, but shopping for it has get a lot harder for them, as the options that cater to their different needs are few and far between. According to breast cancer patients CNA Lifestyle spoke to, in that location is a distinct lack of bra choices for them in the current marketplace – a shortage that local lingerie make Perk by Kate took note of, and for which it recently launched an initiative.
Founder Kate Depression gear up out to create a line of bras designed for those going through breast cancer recovery – a six-piece collection with thoughtful features that would fit their specific needs, without compromising aesthetics.
Women who have undergone chest surgery need ... a forepart closure for ease of wear; soft, breathable fabrics for comfort; and thicker, adjustable straps that provide high support and a customisable fit.
The brand worked closely with a breast reconstruction surgeon, Dr Chia Hui Ling from SW1 Plastic Surgery Dispensary, to develop these bras and identify key features that women who have undergone breast surgery need. Among these are a front end closure for ease of wear; soft, breathable fabrics for comfort; and thicker, adjustable straps that provide loftier support and a customisable fit.
Of course, there'due south no feedback amend than that from the actual users of the product, which is why the brand also sought the opinions of its customers who are chest cancer survivors.
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, CNA Lifestyle spoke to some of these women and learnt more virtually their personal recovery journeys, as well as how finding the correct bra, for them, can be so physically and emotionally uplifting.
NG WENYA, 36
Enduring treatment for cancer is trying, and inevitably likewise a journey of cocky-discovery. Ng personally feels she has emerged stronger post-obit her diagnosis final year, and going through chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a lumpectomy.
"Interestingly, I've become more confident of my torso after my cancer diagnosis. I lost all my pilus, eyebrows and lashes when I was undergoing chemotherapy, and there was a menstruum when I didn't dare to await at myself in the mirror. Only I realised later that my worth or identity was not defined by my outward appearance and that my friends and family did not love me whatsoever less based on how I looked," she revealed.
She agreed, however, that physically and visually, breasts are one of the first things that women are identified by.
"Earlier my surgery, I was worried almost how my breast would look after the procedure. Truth is, there are still days when I'grand bothered that it does non look and feel the same anymore, and when I wear my bra, my breasts don't expect equal. I accept to remind myself that they are not the merely thing that contributes to my femininity," she said.
Nearly post-surgery bras are more functional than pretty, and information technology would be nice to have 1 that is a combination of part and aesthetics.
In the first few months after surgery, she found herself trying to notice clothes to fit her mail service-surgery bra. "I couldn't wearable sure types of wear because they merely did not go well with it," she said. Withal, she withal finds herself going dorsum to her post-surgery bra quite often these days, since it wins on comfort and function.
"Almost post-surgery bras are more functional than pretty, and it would be nice to take one that is a combination of role and aesthetics. For women who are adjusting to their identity as a adult female, following the loss of their breast(s) and hair, this is a nice bear upon that could brand them feel pretty, sexy, or w oman ly again," she said.
Ng besides wishes to see more inclusivity on the office of bra makers. "Now, it feels like nosotros are excluded, especially for women who did not undergo breast reconstruction surgery and demand a bra that tin accommodate a silicone prosthesis. Information technology helps to accept that feeling of normalcy – that I tin footstep into a department store and shop for bras like I used to," she added.
SELENE ZHANG, 33
"To be honest, I didn't really think much virtually my breasts, and how they'll look similar always since I got diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this twelvemonth. All I know was that I wanted this foreign thing out of my body and be cancer-gratis. I was presented with an selection of a lumpectomy at commencement, so that I tin can still conserve my chest. Yet, after an MRI establish some farther suspicious mass in the aforementioned chest, I opted for a mastectomy with an implant reconstruction instead," shared Zhang.
Different many other women, Zhang'south confidence wasn't shaken after losing one of her breasts. "Instead, I feel happy that I am ane step closer to getting this cancer out of my trunk. Our breasts do not ascertain our femininity – it's more than about how we, as women, portray our confidence with what nosotros have, exist information technology with breasts or non," she said.
She did not know what bra would suit her following surgery. "All I knew was that I needed ane that was wireless and with a front squeeze. My plastic surgeon passed me post-mastectomy bras to wear after the surgery, but they were, however, pretty ugly," she said frankly.
It's awesome – letting breast cancer patients have more than options than ugly bras only because we have cancer.
"Eventually, when I had a better idea of what kind of bra I wanted, I started looking around shops in Singapore, but unfortunately, there weren't really many choices. There may exist wireless bras aplenty but it's almost incommunicable to observe whatever with a front clasp," she added.
It wasn't viable for her to rely on post-surgery bras, also, every bit their blueprint makes it hard for her to vesture sure types of clothing. "They are cut so high upward to my armpits that I couldn't habiliment any sleeveless clothing, because the cloth will be peeking out. The lack of pretty post-surgical bras is pretty alarming – given the fact that breast cancer is on the ascension. I think breast cancer patients just want to feel normal or pretty, and having well-designed bras made available for united states is really important ," Zhang said.
This is why she is and so supportive of Perk by Kate's new initiative. "It's awesome – letting breast cancer patients have more options than ugly bras just because we accept cancer. Nigh of us merely want to feel normal, and not be constantly reminded that we have cancer. I do feel that current options we take simply make the states feel that cancer patients are not immune to take squeamish things."
VIVIENNE WONG, 36
Wong was diagnosed at age 32, and has had a mastectomy, followed by reconstruction surgery. "It was devastating to exist told that I had to lose a breast, and that I would need chemo therapy, radiation and long-term hormonal therapy. But I pulled myself together – I knew I could be well again simply I had to do what is necessary," she shared.
It took fourth dimension for her to become used to her postal service-surgery body. "Sometimes, I didn't feel like I was in my own trunk. I had to go used to the weight of an implant, the numbness of the whole reconstructed breast, the stiffness in my upper arm and shoulder, changes in my posture (shoulder rolled forward slightly)," Wong explained.
I've always thought if there'due south a bra that allows me a lot of different spots to slot in paddings of diverse shapes and sizes, I could 'customise' my own shape.
Apart from that, she also found herself no longer at ease wearing sure types of habiliment. "The plastic surgeon did a great job with the aesthetics – only it volition always exist slightly uneven. Padding in bras helps only doesn't completely gear up the problem, so, up till today, there are sure cuts of shirts and fabrics that I avoid because they reveal the unevenness in my torso. I know people won't really discover it, just I'm kind of OCD like that," she said.
"It'due south hard to observe a bra that evens out my shape completely. I have to get creative with where I insert padding. I become the almost even shape in padded and wired bras just tin't habiliment them as they don't sit evenly on my body and the wire digs into my reconstructed side," she revealed.
Her idea of a perfect bra now is i that provides "flexibility": "I've always thought if there'due south a bra that allows me a lot of different spots to slot in paddings of diverse shapes and sizes, I could 'customise' my own shape. Also, front hooks are easier than back hooks because of express mobility later surgery."
Finding a comfy bra that provides a good foundation for her dressing needs is even more important, since Wong is a nuptials singer and has to present her best self when working.
"It's weird simply finding the right bra makes me feel emotional. When I can look in the mirror and see a prissy, even shape, it makes me feel understood and seen, even if that wasn't the brand'southward intention at all. I recollect tearing up when I found my beginning well-fitting strapless bra, which is from Perk by Kate, three years after my surgery," Wong shared.
JESSIE TAN, 46
Tan was diagnosed four years ago, had a unilateral mastectomy, but chose non to have reconstruction. "Today, I continue to live flat on one side and the lack of suitable bras for people similar me is an issue that I concord close to my eye. For the past four years, I have not been able to find a single bra that fits comfortably, and to a large extent, I had learnt to accept that perchance I never will," she commented.
She, too, pointed out a severe lack in availability of post-mastectomy bras in Singapore. "As of today, I am enlightened of but three sources hither. Afterward surgery, I spent (and continue to spend) a lot of time online, searching for suitable bras to buy. Not surprisingly, there are a lot more choices in the US, simply the problem with purchasing bras online is the disability to attempt them on. Being able to put the bras on before purchasing them is actually a disquisitional factor for usa," she shared.
I felt hopeful, because this is a Singapore brand that is interested to explore a possible solution to an upshot that I am facing on a daily ground.
Comfort is of extreme importance for breast cancer patients who have undergone surgery, and it's non something that is easy for others to fully grasp.
"The reality is that only women who have had the same experience are able to truly understand how it feels. The physical discomfort I experience from the mastectomy is perpetual but is something nosotros take to accept and manage on a daily basis. But this discomfort is made so much worse when I wear a bra that is not suitable," she explained.
This is why Perk past Kate'south chest cancer initiative spoke to Tan. "I felt hopeful, considering this is a Singapore brand that is interested to explore a possible solution to an issue that I am facing on a daily basis. I truly hope that this initiative volition help to enhance awareness among the bra manufacturers and that it will result in more choices existence bachelor to breast cancer patients in Singapore," she said.
Perk by Kate is bachelor at https://www.perkbykate.com/.
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/style-beauty/bra-lingerie-breast-cancer-survivors-perk-kate-282536
0 Response to "This Singapore lingerie maker designs stylish bras for breast cancer survivors"
Post a Comment