Breast cancer can cause financial problems as well as the obvious major health issues. But there is a practical new way to help a woman on the road to recovery
Every ten minutes a woman in the UK is given the devastating news she has breast cancer. On top of everything else it can cause major money worries as she struggles to work and support herself, and, often a family. Some patients find it hard to afford their bus fares to hospital for treatment.
There are worries that this problem could become even more acute due to the She-cession as more women have been impacted financially due to Covid-19, and over a million have missed their breast cancer screenings. Later detection can mean more treatment is needed.
Why buying a Sisterhood Bra is a great idea
Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity is working with the NHS on an innovative project enabling women who aren’t diagnosed with the illness to give practical help and support to women who are.
Every bra sold from the Sisterhood Bra collection, aimed at women who have not had breast cancer, means a soft and supportive post-surgery bra is donated to a woman who has had a mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery. The gifted bras are distributed through NHS hospitals.
The charity discovered the need after touring NHS Trusts speaking to breast care nurses. They heard stories about some women having to customise their old boned bras to stop them rubbing and chafing on scar tissue.
The Sisterhood Bra collection is available at Next, costs £43
Future Dreams CEO Nicky Richmond explains: “A comfortable, soft and supportive bra should be a resource every woman has access to, but the unfortunate and stark reality is that for many it is a ‘luxury’ they can’t afford. A breast cancer diagnosis can often result in them being unable to work and consequently earn, causing financial and emotional strain. Many women on tight finances will prioritise spending on their family rather than buying a bra for themselves. We are hearing about women who struggle to find the bus fares to hospital for their chemotherapy treatments so buying a new bra would be unthinkable.”
Celebs supporting the Sisterhood Bra
The bras for women who have not had breast cancer, are modelled by presenter Amanda Byram, Faye Tozer from Steps and Channel 5 news broadcaster Claudia-Liza Armah.
Claudia-Liza Armah in a Sisterhood Bra (Photography: Simon Emmett)
‘Women are at their most vulnerable post-surgery and they all need something supportive and soft next to their skin. Not only supportive in a fabric sense, but something to feel more secure and confident in and to deal with that time after surgery’
Faye Tozer‘Just because you haven’t been affected by breast cancer doesn’t mean we can’t all get together and be part of the same team, because we are sisters – we are all together in this journey, called life.’
Amanda Byram‘By buying one of these bras in return you will be able to get a bra to a woman who has gone through breast surgery who can’t afford one and needs it the most.’
Claudia-Liza Armah
Joanna Franks, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon and Future Dreams trustee adds: “It’s really important to get a supportive and comfortable bra. The thing about the Sisterhood Bra is women are great at supporting other women but sometimes don’t know how to. This is a simple idea.”
* The Sisterhood Bra collection is available at Next
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