INNOVATIVE 3D PRINTING OF BESPOKE BREAST PROSTHESES - THE PERFECT FIT POST-MASTECTOMY
On average, 3,363 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland every year. It is the most commonly diagnosed invasive cancer in women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).
With 85% of patients undergoing surgical treatment, Breakthrough Cancer Research were inspired to fund the research of PhD student EmmaJude Lyons, who is working to answer the unmet needs of people post-mastectomy. With a mission to provide everyone women, regardless of the shape or size of their residual breast tissue, with their perfect fit EmmaJude is utilising innovative 3D printing to develop bespoke breast prostheses fitted to each person individually post-mastectomy.
As well as creating a better experience and improving the quality of life for survivors of breast cancer, these bespoke prostheses can be produced for a fraction of the cost of current commercial solutions
The new pilot service, which was featured as part of RTÉ’s recent Hospital Live programme, is being rolled out at University Hospital Limerick. It is the result of a successful collaboration between the Rapid Innovation Unit at University of Limerick (UL), the Symptomatic Breast Care Unit at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), and the Mater Private Network’s Mid-Western Radiation Oncology Centre.
It is a first-of-its-kind service globally using 3D scanning and printing to improve the quality of life for survivors of breast cancer.
In the below video, PhD student EmmaJude Lyons, who has taken this project from concept to advanced prototypes in a few short months, gives more insight into this ground-breaking project.
WATCH NOW: EMMAJUDE LYONS EXPLAINS THE USE OF 3D PRINTING IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF BESPOKE PROSTHESES POST-MASTECTOMY
HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SEE BEHIND THE LABORATORY DOOR?
Now is your chance! Next Wednesday, June 7th, the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, in collaboration with Breakthrough Cancer Research, is hosting a public tour of the research facilities based at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute at St. James’s Hospital. Visitors will be treated to short cancer research talks and laboratory tours showing the different core equipment used for cancer research work. Spaces are limited so please register today.
With the arrival of the summer season we’re all enjoying spending more time outdoors and for many people working outdoors is a part of everyday life.
This could mean that you are exposed to 2-3 times more UV than someone who works indoors, so you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures indicate that 1 in 4 skin-cancer related deaths in Ireland occur in people connected to farming, construction, fishing and outdoor work.
It's important to keep in mind that most skin cancers can be prevented by protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation (UV). So make sure you take steps to protect yourself.
Sunscreen is an important sun protection measure, but cannot provide 100% protection. It should be used alongside other protective measures like covering up with clothing, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and limiting time in the mid-day sun when UV rays are at their strongest.
CAMINO INGLES TREKKERS RAISE €60K FOR VITAL CANCER RESEARCH
A huge congratulations and a massive THANK YOU to our Camino Ingles trekkers who walked 116km to raise more than €60,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research! Without the dedication and determination of people like you, we couldn’t continue our vital work. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your fundraising efforts and for helping us to #MakeMoreSurvivors.
WE WANT YOU - JOIN TEAM BREAKTHROUGH!
With National Volunteer Week falling this month between the 15th and 21st of May, we had an opportunity to celebrate our wonderful volunteers, who amaze us every day with their generosity and willingness to support Breakthrough Cancer Research’s vision of 100% survival for 100% of cancers.
We’re always excited to welcome helpful and reliable new volunteers to the team and we are currently on the lookout for regional coordinators to volunteer in their town/county for our national collection day this September. If you’d like to learn more or are interested in volunteering with us, please give us a call on 021 422 66 55 or email mary@breakcancer.ie.
To mark World Ovarian Cancer Day, which took place on the 8th May, the Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology (INGO), which Breakthrough are a proud member of, released findings of a new research survey which detailed a significant lack of awareness among women in Ireland regarding the symptoms of ovarian cancer - nearly 8 out of 10 women in Ireland are not confident they would know notice the symptoms. The findings can be found in full here.
To highlight this issue, the INGO launched a campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, emphasising the BEAT symptoms and urging women to contact their GP if they experience any of these symptoms for three weeks or more.
We would also urge you to check out the video below to familiarise yourselves with the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, so that you know what to look out for.
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