London, UK, 21st October 2016 – An innovative range of post surgery lingerie made from bamboo and designed with the input of women recovering from breast cancer surgery has been launched today. The bras, which are manufactured by THEYA Healthcare, are available to purchase online from House of Fraser.
The revolutionary post surgery bras are made from a unique fabric mix that is based on OEKO-TEX® certified bamboo which is not only an environmentally-friendly and naturally soft fibre, but also exhibits remarkable healing properties. An independent clinical study carried out by University College Dublin’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering tested the antibacterial properties of the bamboo fabric and found it to be effective in reducing the growth of bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus epidermidis) commonly found on the skin and in surgical site infections by 97% and 93% respectively.[i]
Catriona Lawlor, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, commented, “We know from research carried out by the NHS that patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery have a 10% rate of bacterial infections in their surgical wounds, which significantly impacts upon the speed and success of healing. So the antibacterial properties of THEYA Healthcare’s bras are extremely encouraging and one of the reasons why I recommend them to my patients as an aid to their post-surgical recovery.”
Further results from the study found that the bamboo fabric is significantly more effective than cotton at drawing moisture away from the skin with its higher horizontal wicking rate (17% more effective) and greater absorbency (59% more absorbent).i These strong results are crucial as breast cancer treatment can cause hot flushes and excessive perspiration due to hormone treatments, and so cool, dry fabrics provide a welcome relief.
Sarah Evans, a breast cancer patient from Brighton commented, “Before my breast cancer surgery I really struggled to find a bra that was both comfortable to wear and supportive. So I was delighted when THEYA Healthcare approached me prior to my reconstruction operation to try their new range of bras as they are not only super comfortable but also feminine - no mean feat for a mastectomy bra!”
The company’s innovative range, which is suitable to be worn post breast cancer or cosmetic surgery and/or during radiotherapy treatment, has truly been designed with these women at its heart with a focus on comfort, support, femininity, functionality and the promotion of healing. To ensure maximum comfort and prevent irritation of the skin, the lingerie is free of wire, tags and seams and include features such as front/back opening options, adjustable shoulder straps and removable modesty pads. In addition, the lingerie is thermally-regulating and keeps the wearer cool following radiotherapy treatment by helping to reduce the temperature of their skin.i
THEYA Healthcare was established by Irish business woman, Ciara Donlon, in 2014 after she identified a gap in the market for post surgery lingerie whilst she was running her own lingerie boutique in Dublin. She was unable to find a comfortable, supportive and attractive product that met the needs of the women recovering from breast surgery who visited her shop. As a result, Ciara decided to set up a company to manufacture the products herself with input from both breast cancer patients and healthcare professionals. Prior to establishing her lingerie business Ciara worked for over 15 years in corporate sales and marketing roles in companies including Vodafone, RBS and Irish Life and Permanent.
Commenting on the UK launch Ciara Donlon, CEO and founder of THEYA Healthcare said, “We are delighted that our range of post surgery lingerie is now available to women in the UK who are undergoing breast surgery or radiotherapy. We were determined to answer these women’s needs by providing them with lingerie that is not only comfortable and supportive, but also feminine. The feedback from women and the medical community has been so positive – the bras have been described as a ‘hug in a bra’ and ‘a second skin’ which makes it all worthwhile.”
Contact details
For further press information, please contact Alex Davies or Eleanor Durie on 020 7798 9900 or email alex.davies@toniclc.com or eleanor.durie@toniclc.com
Notes to Editors
THEYA Healthcare is an Irish manufacturer of healthcare garments and has been trading since 2015. The THEYA Healthcare post surgery range of lingerie is already retailing across Ireland and has also launched in Europe and Canada.
At every stage of product development THEYA Healthcare seeks input from both patients and healthcare professionals to ensure that its range best meets the needs of its customers.
THEYA Healthcare uses a unique fabric mix made from OEKO-TEX® bamboo, which is ideal for post surgery products as it is anti-bacterial, thermally regulating, 41% more absorbent than cotton and extremely soft thus helps reduce skin irritation. The design of the THEYA Healthcare range focuses on comfort, support, femininity, functionality and the promotion of healing. www.theyahealthcare.com
Their products are now classified as class 1 medical devices and they are the winners of the Emerging New Business category in the SFA National Small Business 2016 Awards.
The THEYA Healthcare post surgery range of lingerie is available to purchase from House of Fraser online via www.houseoffraser.co.uk or via THEYA Healthcare’s website.
Please visit www.theyahealthcare.com/ for full details of the range and stockists.
House of Fraser is a department store group with 59 locations across the UK and Ireland. As one of the best known names on the high street, House of Fraser has presented customers with an unrivalled nationwide department store for 167 years. The company completed its sale to Nanjing Cenbest on 2 September 2014 marking an exciting beginning for the company under Chinese ownership. The Group’s record annual sales (ex VAT) for 2015/16 were £1.3bn and the Group employs 6,800 House of Fraser staff and 13,000 concession staff trading on over 4 million sqft of selling space. Customers can shop at House of Fraser from www.houseoffraser.co.uk.
References
[i] Breast Surgery Recovery: The Clinical and PsychoSocial Impact of the THEYA Healthcare Recovery Range, Masters study by Claire Kelly (MSc (cur) BSc, RGN, G.Dip Cancer Nursing), due for completion and publication March 2017.