Breast cancer is a complex disease that will affect one in nine Canadian women during their lifetime, and one in 30 will die from it, according to Canadian Cancer Society statistics. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women, after melanoma.
When a woman loses one breast or both, it alters her appearance and often damages self-esteem. Many survivors will choose traditional prosthetics made of silicone or latex, but these can be uncomfortable.
“Traditional prosthetics are too hard, too heavy, they often don’t stay in bras and many women – if there’s any lymph node involvement at all – have a lot of sensitivity in this area and a lot of lymphedema, which is a build-up of excess fluid.” Cain added, “Something that’s much softer would be more comfortable to wear.”
There is an alternative to the traditional prosthetic, it’s called “Knitted Knockers.’’
“They are knitted or crocheted prosthetics acting as an artificial breast,” said Cain. “They come to the patient stuffed, but not finished-off because each patient will have a preference on how stiff or soft they want them.”
The idea to start a knitting group that provides hope for women recovering from mastectomies to feel beautiful again was born by Cain’s mother.
“My interest came because my mother lost her breast over 35-years ago. My grandmother also suffered from breast cancer, and both were pre-menopausal,” said Cain. “But both lived 35-years plus, although they suffered with the discomfort of traditional silicone prosthetics and bras that didn’t fit.”
Cain hopes to gather local volunteers to create a bank of free knit prosthetics and then distribute them to women affected by the disease on P.E.I.
“Once we have a good number of knitted knockers (in a good variety of sizes and made in pairs) then I will distribute them to the Prince County hospital and Queen Elizabeth hospital. We will also post notices on the Trailside Yarn Shoppe Facebook page when we are ready to distribute to any Islanders,” said Cain.
Owner of the Trailside Yarn Shoppe in Kensington, Kevin Waugh, has agreed for the store to act as a collection point for the knit prosthetics. The store will also provide the Ultra Pima cotton needed to knit or crochet the Knitted Knockers.
Cain, who is also a survivor from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a car accident, said knitting helped aid her recovery.
“Like those who have lost a breast, I suppose I’m in a similar spot in that I will never be just who I was before. The difference is that my injury is invisible. That said, like my mother and grandmother, I am a survivor, not a victim and this is one way I can pay it forward.
For more information on how to get involved in Knitting Knockers contact Char Cain on Facebook or visit: knittedknockerscanada.com.
