The external breast prosthesis on which the Toulouse University Hospital is launching its clinical trial reproduces the color of the patient's skin.
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New Team
In France, 20,000 women with cancer undergo the removal of a breast each year and use external prostheses while awaiting possible reconstruction.
The Toulouse University Hospital has just launched a clinical trial on the very first “personalized” breast prosthesis, created by a start-up from Haut-Garonnaise.
Unlike standard prostheses, it copies the color of the skin, the shape of the nipple and, to avoid back pain, weighs the right weight.
The trial carried out can give it scientific support and allow it to be reimbursed so that all patients can access this comfort care, good for body and soul.
In the course of the obstacle course after breast cancer, there is a painful transitional period.
That during which the patients experience the physical vacuum, between the removal of the breast and a possible surgical reconstruction.
And, for months, years or even for life for some, they compensate by slipping external prostheses in their bras.
Banal and standard, all-purpose roses.
Often imported from Germany and not quite the same weight as the other breast.
Professor Charlotte Vaysse, specialist surgeon at the CHU on the Toulouse Oncopole site, where some 300 mastectomies are performed each year, is well aware of these “large asymmetries” which cause “back pain” in his patients, not to mention the psychological damage of a cheap aesthetic.
So when in 2016, Léonarda Sanchez knocked on her door to present her start-up's "personalized" external prosthesis, "it seemed obvious to me," says the practitioner.
Color of the skin, the nipple, weight ... tailor-made
Because the Meavanti prosthesis from the start-up New Team, designed in Saint-Jory in the suburb of the Pink City, pushes the tailor-made far, for B cups like F or G. It copies in particular the color of the skin for that the neckline is matched.
“It even takes into account the shape and color of the nipple,” explains Charlotte Vaysse.
And the differences in weight are tiny, whereas they can reach up to 200 grams with standard prostheses ”.
"They are biocompatible and patented and we manufacture them within ten days," adds Leonarda Sanchez, the self-taught inventor drawn into this adventure by the plight of several of her friends suffering from breast cancer.
This Meavanti prosthesis exists, it is for sale.
Why then this “history of women”, this CHU-start-up tandem?
Because it costs 400 euros and is not reimbursed by Social Security, unlike standard prostheses.
"The idea is to allow all women to benefit from it, without social inequalities", explains Charlotte Vaysse.
And for that, it is necessary to convince the High Authority of Health (HAS).
A clinical trial with around sixty patients
Four years and two confinements after her meeting with Leonarda, the surgeon is therefore launching a clinical trial.
Two patients integrated it last week, about sixty others will do so in the coming months.
From three months to three months, they will alternately wear a “classic” or personalized prosthesis.
And the researcher will sift through their feelings: Physical, psychological, social, and even the effect on their sex life.
Our file on breast cancer
The two women give themselves one year to complete the case for the personalized external prosthesis.
Who is not afraid of being sexy and, above all, Made in Occitanie.
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