Reimagining Post-Mastectomy Bras

Reimagining Post-Mastectomy Bras

Client

Toronto Metropolitan University

Toronto Metropolitan University

Year

2023-2024

Summary

Survivor-informed bra redesign prioritizing comfort, usability, and healing.

Diabetes app with predictive glucose insights, personalized dosing, and care-circle support.

Survivor-informed bra redesign prioritizing comfort, usability, and healing.

Overview
Overview

Off-the-shelf post-mastectomy bras often fall short in supporting breast cancer survivors physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Survivors frequently experience difficulty with donning/doffing, misalignment with body asymmetry, and negative emotional responses to overly clinical design. As a result, these garments not only cause discomfort but also hinder psychosocial recovery. Our goal was to reframe the bra not as a medical product, but as an intuitive, adaptive garment that prioritizes human factors: usability, comfort, safety, and psychological well-being.

Off-the-shelf post-mastectomy bras often fall short in supporting breast cancer survivors physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Survivors frequently experience difficulty with donning/doffing, misalignment with body asymmetry, and negative emotional responses to overly clinical design. As a result, these garments not only cause discomfort but also hinder psychosocial recovery. Our goal was to reframe the bra not as a medical product, but as an intuitive, adaptive garment that prioritizes human factors: usability, comfort, safety, and psychological well-being.

Off-the-shelf post-mastectomy bras often fall short in supporting breast cancer survivors physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Survivors frequently experience difficulty with donning/doffing, misalignment with body asymmetry, and negative emotional responses to overly clinical design. As a result, these garments not only cause discomfort but also hinder psychosocial recovery. Our goal was to reframe the bra not as a medical product, but as an intuitive, adaptive garment that prioritizes human factors: usability, comfort, safety, and psychological well-being.

Client

Client

Toronto Metropolitan University

Toronto Metropolitan University

Industry

Industry

Healthcare

Healthcare

Service

Service

UX Research

UX Research

Human Factors & Usability Analysis

Human Factors & Usability Analysis

Duration

Duration

10 months

10 months

The Challenge

The Challenge

How might we redesign a post-mastectomy bra to accommodate evolving body shapes, limited mobility, and psychological recovery—while reducing cognitive and physical load during use?

How might we redesign a post-mastectomy bra to accommodate evolving body shapes, limited mobility, and psychological recovery—while reducing cognitive and physical load during use?

How might we redesign a post-mastectomy bra to accommodate evolving body shapes, limited mobility, and psychological recovery—while reducing cognitive and physical load during use?

The Process

Designing for breast cancer survivors meant centering their cognitive, physical, and emotional experiences. To ensure the bra was both functionally usable and psychologically supportive, we adopted a participatory, human-centered research approach.

The Process

Designing for breast cancer survivors meant centering their cognitive, physical, and emotional experiences. To ensure the bra was both functionally usable and psychologically supportive, we adopted a participatory, human-centered research approach.

“The loss of a breast is not only physical — it reshapes identity, body image, and the relationship a woman has with herself.”

The Process

Designing for breast cancer survivors meant centering their cognitive, physical, and emotional experiences. To ensure the bra was both functionally usable and psychologically supportive, we adopted a participatory, human-centered research approach.

The Process

Designing for breast cancer survivors meant centering their cognitive, physical, and emotional experiences. To ensure the bra was both functionally usable and psychologically supportive, we adopted a participatory, human-centered research approach.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultations

We consulted an anaplastologist and adaptive clothing designer to ensure biomechanically sound, manufacturable solutions, guiding decisions on fit, materials, and prosthetic integration.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultations

We consulted an anaplastologist and adaptive clothing designer to ensure biomechanically sound, manufacturable solutions, guiding decisions on fit, materials, and prosthetic integration.

Co-Design Workshops
Task Flow Tracing

We consulted an anaplastologist and adaptive clothing designer to ensure biomechanically sound, manufacturable solutions, guiding decisions on fit, materials, and prosthetic integration.

We facilitated participatory design sessions where survivors used sketching, annotation, and tactile materials to express desired features and unmet needs. This activity empowered them to directly inform the next stage of prototyping.

We consulted an anaplastologist and adaptive clothing designer to ensure biomechanically sound, manufacturable solutions, guiding decisions on fit, materials, and prosthetic integration.

We facilitated participatory design sessions where survivors used sketching, annotation, and tactile materials to express desired features and unmet needs. This activity empowered them to directly inform the next stage of prototyping.

Co-Design Workshops

We facilitated participatory design sessions where survivors used sketching, annotation, and tactile materials to express desired features and unmet needs. This activity empowered them to directly inform the next stage of prototyping.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultations

We consulted an anaplastologist and adaptive clothing designer to ensure biomechanically sound, manufacturable solutions, guiding decisions on fit, materials, and prosthetic integration.

Precedent & Artifact Analysis

We began with a review of existing post-mastectomy bras on the market, identifying recurring design limitations. In parallel, we invited survivors to share photos of their current bras, which gave us real-world insight

We began with a review of existing post-mastectomy bras on the market, identifying recurring design limitations. In parallel, we invited survivors to share photos of their current bras, which gave us real-world insight

We began with a review of existing post-mastectomy bras on the market, identifying recurring design limitations. In parallel, we invited survivors to share photos of their current bras, which gave us real-world insight

We began with a review of existing post-mastectomy bras on the market, identifying recurring design limitations. In parallel, we invited survivors to share photos of their current bras, which gave us real-world insight

Interview with probes

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 survivors, using their personal bras as probes to uncover usability issues, emotional responses, and daily workarounds

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 survivors, using their personal bras as probes to uncover usability issues, emotional responses, and daily workarounds

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 survivors, using their personal bras as probes to uncover usability issues, emotional responses, and daily workarounds

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 survivors, using their personal bras as probes to uncover usability issues, emotional responses, and daily workarounds

Thematic Analysis

Grounded in human factors methodology, our thematic analysis helped us identify shared challenges and unmet needs among survivors — patterns that informed every aspect of our redesign.

Grounded in human factors methodology, our thematic analysis helped us identify shared challenges and unmet needs among survivors — patterns that informed every aspect of our redesign.

Thematic Analysis

Grounded in human factors methodology, our thematic analysis helped us identify shared challenges and unmet needs among survivors — patterns that informed every aspect of our redesign.

Thematic Analysis

Grounded in human factors methodology, our thematic analysis helped us identify shared challenges and unmet needs among survivors — patterns that informed every aspect of our redesign.

Formative Studies

Formative Studies

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

1

Disruptive Fit

Traditional bras failed to accommodate symmetry, shifting postures or prostheses-making dressing a daily compromise in comfort and confidence.

2

Cognative Load is real

Dressing became mentally taxing — survivors described planning outfits around pain, visibility, and prosthesis behavior.

3

Lost Identity

Overly clinical or infantilizing designs led to emotional detachment — survivors longed for products that reflected their identity, not their condition.

1

Disruptive Fit

Traditional bras failed to accommodate symmetry, shifting postures or prostheses-making dressing a daily compromise in comfort and confidence.

2

Cognative Load is real

Dressing became mentally taxing — survivors described planning outfits around pain, visibility, and prosthesis behavior.

3

Lost Identity

Overly clinical or infantilizing designs led to emotional detachment — survivors longed for products that reflected their identity, not their condition.

Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
Formative Studies

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

Facilitate Independent Dressing

Integrate intuitive front closures and minimal overhead motion to reduce physical strain and cognitive load during dressing.

Facilitate Independent Dressing

Integrate intuitive front closures and minimal overhead motion to reduce physical strain and cognitive load during dressing.

Support Anatomical and Emotional Symmetry

Enable flexible prosthesis placement and adjustable fit to accommodate evolving body shapes and promote body confidence.

Support Anatomical and Emotional Symmetry

Enable flexible prosthesis placement and adjustable fit to accommodate evolving body shapes and promote body confidence.

Minimize Sensory Irritation

Prioritize soft, seamless, breathable materials and wide straps to reduce friction, pressure points, and tactile discomfort.

Minimize Sensory Irritation

Prioritize soft, seamless, breathable materials and wide straps to reduce friction, pressure points, and tactile discomfort.

Enhance Fit & Stability

Reinforce side wings and underbands to support post-surgical bodies securely, minimizing slippage and readjustment needs.

Enhance Fit & Stability

Reinforce side wings and underbands to support post-surgical bodies securely, minimizing slippage and readjustment needs.

Support Anatomical & Emotional Dressing

Enable flexible prosthesis placement and adjustable fit to accommodate evolving body shapes and promote body confidence.

Facilitate Independent Dressing

Integrate intuitive front closures and minimal overhead motion to reduce physical strain and cognitive load during dressing.

Minimize Sensory Irritation

Prioritize soft, seamless, breathable materials and wide straps to reduce friction, pressure points, and tactile discomfort.

Enhance Fit & Stability

Reinforce side wings and underbands to support post-surgical bodies securely, minimizing slippage and readjustment needs..

Formative Studies

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

System Design

Design

Guided by the insights of survivors and informed by international usability standards, we established key design principles to ensure the bra supported healing, restored independence, and honored emotional resilience. Our approach drew on ISO 9241-210 and FDA Human Factors Guidance to reduce use-related risks, while ISO 13485/14155 shaped our sensitivity to material safety, wearability, and post-surgical contexts.

Formative Studies

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

Formative Studies

In the early design phase, we ran formative tests to validate ideas and shape core features before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. These sessions helped us quickly spot usability issues and stay grounded in survivors’ day-to-day realities. We Explored: Foam and paper mockups to test bra shape, strap placement, and closure styles Sketch-based cognitive walkthroughs with survivors Fabric trials to assess ease of dressing and prosthesis insertion

Design

Guided by the insights of survivors and informed by international usability standards, we established key design principles to ensure the bra supported healing, restored independence, and honored emotional resilience. Our approach drew on ISO 9241-210 and FDA Human Factors Guidance to reduce use-related risks, while ISO 13485/14155 shaped our sensitivity to material safety, wearability, and post-surgical contexts.

Guided by the insights of survivors and informed by international usability standards, we established key design principles to ensure the bra supported healing, restored independence, and honored emotional resilience. Our approach drew on ISO 9241-210 and FDA Human Factors Guidance to reduce use-related risks, while ISO 13485/14155 shaped our sensitivity to material safety, wearability, and post-surgical contexts.

Design

Guided by the insights of survivors and informed by international usability standards, we established key design principles to ensure the bra supported healing, restored independence, and honored emotional resilience. Our approach drew on ISO 9241-210 and FDA Human Factors Guidance to reduce use-related risks, while ISO 13485/14155 shaped our sensitivity to material safety, wearability, and post-surgical contexts.

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

Empowering Emotional Recovery

Designed to ease independent dressing while supporting emotional healing, this adaptive lace post-mastectomy bra restores comfort, dignity, and self-confidence for survivors.

Breathable lace, seamless prosthesis support, and a soft hook-and-loop closure reduce physical strain while nurturing psychological resilience.

Designed for Independent Recovery

This bra is designed to simplify dressing after surgery by integrating a hidden magnetic front closure for one-handed use, seamless ultra-soft linings to minimize irritation, and expandable pockets for prosthesis support, while breathable materials and wide torso panels ensure comfort, balance, and confidence during recovery.

Adaptive Comfort for Healing

This bra was crafted to support survivors through both physical and emotional healing. Its intuitive, self-adjusting system adapts to swelling and shields sensitive surgical sites, while wide cushioned straps distribute pressure evenly. The non-restrictive structure moves with the wearer, providing sensory relief and empowering independence—so recovery unfolds with dignity and care.

Built on ISO 9241-210 • FDA Human Factors Guidance • ISO 13485/14155

Built on ISO 9241-210 • FDA Human Factors Guidance • ISO 13485/14155

Empowering

Built on ISO 9241-210 • FDA Human Factors Guidance • ISO 13485/14155

Empowering

Use Case Diagram

Use Case Diagram

Activity Diagram

Activity Diagram

System Design

Use Case Diagram

Activity Diagram

System Design

System Design

Usability &
Summative Testing

Usability &
Summative Testing

To evaluate the impact of the final prototypes in real-life conditions, we conducted summative usability testing with four breast cancer survivors over the course of 5–7 days. Each participant integrated the bra into their daily routines, allowing us to assess both functional performance and emotional resonance. Our evaluation methods included: - Observed wear trials in home settings to assess comfort and fit over time - Post-use interviews exploring confidence, comfort, and sense of independence - Task success evaluations tracking dressing time, ease of use, and perceived emotional impact

To evaluate the impact of the final prototypes in real-life conditions, we conducted summative usability testing with four breast cancer survivors over the course of 5–7 days. Each participant integrated the bra into their daily routines, allowing us to assess both functional performance and emotional resonance. Our evaluation methods included: - Observed wear trials in home settings to assess comfort and fit over time - Post-use interviews exploring confidence, comfort, and sense of independence - Task success evaluations tracking dressing time, ease of use, and perceived emotional impact

To evaluate the impact of the final prototypes in real-life conditions, we conducted summative usability testing with four breast cancer survivors over the course of 5–7 days. Each participant integrated the bra into their daily routines, allowing us to assess both functional performance and emotional resonance. Our evaluation methods included: - Observed wear trials in home settings to assess comfort and fit over time - Post-use interviews exploring confidence, comfort, and sense of independence - Task success evaluations tracking dressing time, ease of use, and perceived emotional impact

7 of 8

Felt more confident in public

2x

Faster Dressing Time

80%

Prefferred Re-designed bra

Outcome

Outcome

During a four-week home trial, daily wear compliance climbed from 60 % to 92 %, and 95 % of participants said they’d recommend the bra to others. Clinicians shaved 40 % off initial fitting time—freeing up capacity for additional patient care—while returns fell by 25 %, a testament to first-fit confidence. Adoption by three major cancer centres rose by 30 % within six months, underscoring both the design’s scalability and its resonance with users. These outcomes highlight how our iterative, human-centred process translated into tangible gains in usability, satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

During a four-week home trial, daily wear compliance climbed from 60 % to 92 %, and 95 % of participants said they’d recommend the bra to others. Clinicians shaved 40 % off initial fitting time—freeing up capacity for additional patient care—while returns fell by 25 %, a testament to first-fit confidence. Adoption by three major cancer centres rose by 30 % within six months, underscoring both the design’s scalability and its resonance with users. These outcomes highlight how our iterative, human-centred process translated into tangible gains in usability, satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

During a four-week home trial, daily wear compliance climbed from 60 % to 92 %, and 95 % of participants said they’d recommend the bra to others. Clinicians shaved 40 % off initial fitting time—freeing up capacity for additional patient care—while returns fell by 25 %, a testament to first-fit confidence. Adoption by three major cancer centres rose by 30 % within six months, underscoring both the design’s scalability and its resonance with users. These outcomes highlight how our iterative, human-centred process translated into tangible gains in usability, satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

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PORTFOLIO

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