NEW NIPPLES PLEASE

NEW NIPPLES MADE ME feel complete

TATTOOED, RECONSTRUCTED OR STUCK ON – NEW NIPPLES CAN TRANSFORM BODY CONFIDENCE. WHICH IS WHY RACHEL WALKER IS USING HER EXPERIENCE OF BREAST CANCER TO HELP OTHERS FEEL FABULOUS ONCE MORE

For many women one of the toughest parts of their breast cancer journey is looking at their new breasts without nipples. It’s not just that it makes them look different, it can also have a big emotional impact in terms of how they feel about themselves as a woman and sexually. After a multitude of operations Rachel Walker, 53, was so frustrated by the challenges she faced she finally started a company to help others with the problem. Rachel’s story started with a breast cancer diagnosis in May 2013...

‘I’d found a lump a few years before I was diagnosed,’ says Rachel. ‘I went to the doctor, who said it was hormonal and nothing to worry about, but I went back again when I noticed my nipples were leaking. Again I was told it was hormonal. Finally in May 2013 I found a lump by chance when I lay down so I went back a third time. I was referred to the one-stop clinic where I had scans and biopsies and was told immediately it was cancer.

‘I was diagnosed with three different types of breast cancer and told it had spread to my lymph nodes. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, corrective surgery and was told I’d need to exchange my original implants because the doctors were concerned about the material used. In all I’ve had 11 procedures and I’m just waiting for my 12th.

‘I was so extremely grateful and humbled by the outstanding care I received from the NHS, but in 2015, although my surgery was far from complete, I decided that a prosthetic nipple would help make me feel normal and make my breasts feel balanced by optical illusion. At this time my

breasts were very asymmetrical as my reconstructed breasts were different sizes and shapes. One is higher on my chest than the other and I am heavily scarred.

‘I found a prosthesis maker in the UK, and went to see him about making a customised pair of nipples for me. Ideally I would have had moulds made from my own nipples before my bilateral mastectomy, but nobody told me that could be done and it was the last thing on my mind to research at that time. Had I have been told it was an option, I would definitely have considered it.

‘The NHS is amazing but I didn’t like the nipples it could offer. They didn’t stay in place and I’d continually lose them as they kept falling off. I found a few businesses in America that made customised nipples and ‘off-the-shelf’ ones but the prices were astronomical – more than $400 for the custommade and $270 for the standard.

‘My original pair made for me in the UK cost £250 – expensive, but worth every penny, I felt. The first time I used them I felt complete – naturally focused on the nipples and not the asymmetry. I was so impressed with what a simple product could do I was determined to give something back.

‘I decided I wanted to learn the process, and trained with the prosthesis maker over a long period. Observing him mixing the silicon to get the most natural nipple colours and then practising myself took months. I’d had a career in jewellery making and it was good to do something creative, but mostly I wanted to give something back. I set up my company, Areolae, to produce nipple prosthetics at an affordable price.

‘It’s early days but I’ve had some interest from investors, plus some very large corporate businesses support me, including Nordson Corporation, which has donated cartridges and mixing nozzles. This has enabled me to donate some nipples for free. Once Areolae is in profit, my plan is to give a percentage from each sale to cancer charities.

‘It’s really common for ladies to get emotional when trying their nipples on for the first time and I have had amazing feed back. A common comment is, ‘When I look in the mirror I feel like me again.’ I want every woman to be delighted, to feel more confident, whether just personally or when undressing at the gym or in front of her partner. Some of my customers are using them as a temporary measure between breast reconstruction and nipple reconstruction or as a long-term alternative to either further surgery or having tattoos.

‘Tattoos aren’t for everyone, plus they can fade after six months to a year. The skin on a reconstructed breast is normally very stretched and thin. It may even be damaged from radiotherapy, making it unsuitable for tattooing or surgical nipple reconstruction.

‘And it can take years from mastectomy to final reconstruction, so having tattoos or nipple reconstruction too soon could mean that if further surgery is needed then your nipples may not be in the correct place. My prosthetic nipples allow you the option of changing positioning before going down the permanent route.

‘Each nipple is custom coloured and handmade using the highest medicalgrade silicone. The three styles are different in areola texture and nipple projection. Each nipple is hand crafted and has a slight variation in size, shape and depth of colour. This creates a natural look that mimics the body’s natural imperfections.

LIKE THE REAL THING: It’s tricky to tell Rachel’s prosthetics from natural nipples

IMPROVED: An NHS nipple compared to Rachel’s

LIFELIKE: Every prosthetic is hand-made ‘The nipples attach to the breast or breast form using a water-based medical adhesive that is strong enough for day-to-day wear and waterproof. You can shower, swim and bathe in them. If you use a silicone-based adhesive, then you will have a more secure bond that will last longer, even with bathing. I’ve been swimming, sunbathed in 32 degrees heat, been in a hydro pool, jacuzzi, steam, sauna and ice pool, exercised and power-walked over a three-day period and they were still completely intact.

‘As for more intimate moments – obviously body-on-body friction can mean they are quite likely to dislodge. However, a stronger silicone-based, medical-grade adhesive will give a better bond.

‘I guarantee them for six months but to date I’ve not received any back under guarantee and in reality they are lasting much longer. I’m still currently using nipples I made in 2015!

‘The Areolae website shows a variety of nipples available and I’m always happy to try to achieve exactly what each customer is looking for. There’s no typical customer as there’s no typical breast cancer patient. I’ve made nipples for ladies in their thirties and ladies in their seventies. In fact, a few ladies have purchased two pairs in different styles and colours to alternate depending on their mood!’

Nipples cost £80 and are made from European-produced, medical-grade silicon that is bio compatible. For more information, go to areolae.co.uk

As a breast care and support nurse at The Fitzwilliam Hospital in Peterborough, Adele Miller (left) provides vital ongoing physical and emotional support to her patients. Here, she discusses why her role is so important and why the Future Dreams care packages make such a difference...

What does a normal day look like for you?

My day starts early on a Monday morning as we have a one-stop breast clinic in the outpatients department that begins at 8am. We also have a one-stop clinic on a Wednesday, which starts at 4pm. This clinic is where the patient gets to see the breast consultant who does a breast examination and requests imaging, be it a mammogram or ultrasound, or both. The imaging is carried out and the consultant radiologist reports on it immediately.

The patient then sees the breast consultant and gets the results of these two tests right away, which is extremely reassuring for them. However, if the patient requires a biopsy, this takes a further 7-14 days to return with results. I also carry out all the pre-operative assessments on the breast cancer patients. It’s my job to ensure their needs are being met and to provide continuity of care. The one-stop clinic at Fitzwilliam is a private service and patients can call me at any time. I know they all hugely appreciate this.

Why is your role so important?

This is an extremely difficult time for patients and their families and they just need someone to listen, understand and answer their questions.

The patients know they can call or message me any day and I will get back to them. The type of support patients need during treatment for breast cancer varies with each individual and I want to be there to offer that, whenever or however. I’m very lucky that I get to know the patients well, as I see them every six months for five years following initial diagnosis and treatment. My job is really rewarding. I meet the most amazing, strong and courageous people.

How has Covid-19 affected the hospital?

Since the start of Covid-19, Fitzwilliam has been doing NHS breast cancer operations several days a week to ensure patients are still able to have their surgery. I’ve therefore also been working on the Fitzwilliam hospital ward to help with the NHS breast cancer patients and linking with the NHS breast care nurses to ensure everybody receives the best care and support possible. I’m doing what I was trained to do and supporting the NHS. It’s very rewarding and a pleasure to look after so many patients who really needed to continue with their treatment.

How did you hear about Future Dreams?

The matron from Fitzwilliam told me about the care packages the charity was providing to breast cancer patients and put me in touch. They have put so many smiles on so many faces – not just when patients open the care packages, but with the bras, softies and drain bags that were also donated. The feedback from patients has been incredible. Every patient was astounded at the generosity and care put into the packages, as was I. The patients need a little something to put a smile on their face, even if it is for a short while, and these packages certainly did that. One elderly lady was crying when she received the package and just kept saying, ‘Unbelievable, unbelievable.’ Another lady said, ‘This is like a treasure trove!’ The very young patients loved the inclusion of some make up products, too. Thank you!

fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk/treatments/one-stop-breast-clinic