Breast Cancer Radiation Bra

School Name

Center for Advanced Technical Studies

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Oral Presentation Award

1st Place

Abstract

More than 90% of patients receiving radiation treatment will develop the painful skin reaction Radiation Dermatitis, more commonly know as “radiation burns”. For women who undergo radiation therapy for breast cancer, radiation dermatitis often renders them unable to wear a traditional bra due to the painful and sensitive nature of their skin. In order for many of these women to carry on with both their treatment plans and their lives, an alternative garment option is needed. Preliminary free response surveys and multiple choice surveys were sent out to a network of patients and survivors to establish criteria and guidelines for what the product should accomplish. Patient and survivor insight, as well as physician recommendations will be utilized in the design and fabrication of the product. After a prototype is made, a review survey will be sent out to a subset of the original network in order to judge the prototype against the established criteria. Data analyses will be run on the review surveys to identify weak aspects of the product design. Prototype fabrication and review will continue until prototype satisfies all criteria. Ultimately, the breast cancer radiation replacement bra will allow women undergoing radiation treatment for their breast cancer to continue on with both their treatment plan and their lives, no longer hindered by pain or the inability to wear an undergarment.

Location

Wall 225

Start Date

3-25-2017 11:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:30 AM

Breast Cancer Radiation Bra

Wall 225

More than 90% of patients receiving radiation treatment will develop the painful skin reaction Radiation Dermatitis, more commonly know as “radiation burns”. For women who undergo radiation therapy for breast cancer, radiation dermatitis often renders them unable to wear a traditional bra due to the painful and sensitive nature of their skin. In order for many of these women to carry on with both their treatment plans and their lives, an alternative garment option is needed. Preliminary free response surveys and multiple choice surveys were sent out to a network of patients and survivors to establish criteria and guidelines for what the product should accomplish. Patient and survivor insight, as well as physician recommendations will be utilized in the design and fabrication of the product. After a prototype is made, a review survey will be sent out to a subset of the original network in order to judge the prototype against the established criteria. Data analyses will be run on the review surveys to identify weak aspects of the product design. Prototype fabrication and review will continue until prototype satisfies all criteria. Ultimately, the breast cancer radiation replacement bra will allow women undergoing radiation treatment for their breast cancer to continue on with both their treatment plan and their lives, no longer hindered by pain or the inability to wear an undergarment.