Panache Lingerie with Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield NHS Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust are developing a new bra that could revolutionise breast cancer care for women undergoing breast radiotherapy.The bra is designed to enhance the accuracy of treatment, and should improve patient comfort and help women going through radiotherapy maintain dignity during their treatment.  

The 'SuPPORT 4 All' study, is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR ) Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme. The bra may eventually eliminate the need for permanent pinpoint tattoo marks currently used to accurately position the patient under the radiotherapy machine, the tattoos can be a concern for some patients.

Clare Robertson, Head of Innovation at Panache said "We are extremely excited to be working with the Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals on this study. This work is incredibly important for patients receiving treatment for breast cancer and we are honoured to be able to bring our 30 plus years of experience within the lingerie industry to the project.”

Prototypes are currently being tested on healthy volunteers using 3D surface imaging, first patients will be testing out the bra in a clinical setting in early 2017.