Limerick PhD student wins award for research on bespoke breast implants for cancer patients

A STUDENT who has developed research on bespoke breast prosthesis to mimic the residual breast, is hoping this will help women recovering from cancer, to not only survive, but thrive. 

EmmaJude Lyons from the University of Limerick was named as the winner of the ‘Three Minute Thesis’ for her research. 

The PhD student said that after a mastectomy, a woman can experience issues with generic silicone implants, such as them being heavy and causing a sag, not being symmetrical or not being comfortable. 

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Ms Lyons’ research presents a breast prosthesis, which is completely custom-made for the woman. 

It is an exact replica of the residual breast, which creates symmetry, while the part of the prosthesis which touches the woman’s mastectomy site is a replica of that site and it fits perfectly and stays in place. 

Ms Lyons said: “I tested several materials and infill patterns that go inside the breast prosthesis to understand which combination would give a lightweight and soft breast prosthesis for the women, so that they can have a lightweight breast that feels soft. Finally, a range of softness was created that the women could feel, giving women the choice to pick the combination that felt most like them.”

She added: “Women’s health is an important, but often overlooked national issue and this competition is a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on this. Many of us have friends or family members who have experienced breast cancer and through my research I’m hoping that cancer survivors will not just survive but thrive.”