For a woman diagnosed with breast cancer, the cancer journey does not end when the treatment is completed. The impact of diagnosis & it’s treatment affects the survivor throughout her life.
Many women dealing with breast cancer undergo mastectomy that affects their physical appearance. Mastectomy affects the survivors physically, emotionally & psychosocially.
A breast prosthesis is a suitable alternative to reconstruction, to fill the space where the breast was. Many are not able to undergo reconstruction due to its cost and others do not want to undergo a surgery again. Breast prosthesis is an artificial external breast form that balances body shape & improves self-esteem. It helps in restoring body’s natural balance, posture & appearance. The prosthesis is slipped into the bra or swimwear and helps the survivors to have the “before surgery look”, which is a big relief for many women.'
Traditional breast prosthesis was the only option for the survivors, but it is observed that generally the population at large is not able afford it due to financial constraints.
Being a cancer survivor, I wanted to give back to society and hence started camps for creating breast cancer awareness and screening on-site for early detection, for various strata of society in rural as well as urban areas. During these camps many women come to meet me and wish to talk their hearts out.
During one such camp I was met by a lady who had undergone mastectomy 10 months back. She had secluded herself socially and had not stepped out of the house as she was not comfortable meeting people. She told me that her clothes were not fitting her whether it’s saree blouse or Salwar Kameez. She was not aware of the option of breast prosthesis.
Other survivor from a rural area came with complaints of abrasion to the post mastectomy scar area. After talking to her I came to know that she works in the farm to meet day to day expenses of her family. She used a small bamboo basket to act as a prosthesis which in turn injured the delicate post-surgery skin. These stories just show a tiny part of the trauma that women go through after mastectomy.
These stories made me restless and I wanted to be of help to survivors in coping with post mastectomy trauma. I tried so many options from filling polyfibre in the commercially available cups to creating a breast form with the foam sheets, as gifting traditional breast prosthesis was beyond my reach. None were fulfilling my expectations. They turned out to be too round which absolutely looked different from the unaffected breast or couldn’t be customized to match the shapes of breasts of different individuals of different age groups.
During my visits to USA to meet my son I met breast cancer survivors and came to know that majority of them who had undergone mastectomy used knitted knockers. Knitted knockers are handcrafted breast prosthesis made by knitting / crocheting 100% cotton yarn.
I contacted a wonderful person, Barbara Demorest, founder of knitted knockers US. I asked her if someone can teach me how to crochet or knit the knocker in person as I had left knitting and crocheting for a long time now. Barb connected me to a divine personality, Dale Arriaga, whom I fail to describe in words. She taught me to make these knitted knockers. Barb was so kind to gift knitted knockers for the survivors in India.
I reached India with a happy heart as now I would be able to help breast cancer survivors get back their smile, confidence and self-esteem.
Back in India we now have something which is beyond awesome, “Knitted Knockers India”, a group of dedicated volunteers, who came together for a mission of knitting and crocheting breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomy, lumpectomy with deficit area and also those who have undergone reconstruction that has not given an even match or had radiation to breast which has shrunken the breast size. Many of these volunteers are themselves breast cancer survivors and are well aware of the devastating effect of the disease. Making the breast prosthesis gives our volunteers a feeling of making a body part for the survivors.
Knitted knockers are handcrafted breast prosthesis made by knitting or crocheting mercerised 100% cotton yarn with love & care. They are filled with hypoallergenic polyfibre. These handcrafted breast prostheses can be used immediately after surgery. They are soft, washable and breathable and can be customised according to individual need because of which it gives a look of natural breast. They are available in various sizes and colours in fact many women say they soon forget they are wearing them. These are given free of charge to everyone who need them.
I think it is important for women to remember that you are not defined by the presence or absence of a body part. Your body is strong & beautiful with the breast or without them.
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