BREAST CANCER POST TREATMENT SUPPORT GARMENT
A garment for a wearer having breasts and an under bust located directly under the breasts, and further having a torso, includes a band configured to fit at the under bust of the wearer; a cup extending from the band, the cup including an outer layer and an inner layer that is interior to the outer layer. The garment further includes an attachment component configured to removably couple an insert to the inner layer, a garment head opening, and first and second arm openings. When the insert is coupled to the inner layer, at least a portion of the insert is exposed to the skin.
This invention relates to post-surgery and radiation treatment breast support garments and, more specifically, breast support garments for use during or after breast cancer treatments such as a lumpectomy or radiation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBreast cancer treatments often have deleterious effects on the body. Often, patients will endure radiation skin peeling, discomfort, and swelling around and within the breast tissue. Patients may have radiation “burns” beneath or around the breast and within the axilla. Also, they may have soreness, irritation, peeling, and burning of the nipple and areola. Finally, patients may have lasting heaviness and soreness of the breast from acute and chronic swelling, which may last from 6 weeks to 5 years after radiation treatment.
Bras, camisoles, and related garments have been designed to increase comfort, ease of use, and function to a person who is battling cancer. However, in general, the available garments have not kept pace with advancements in breast cancer treatment technologies and practices. Due to advances in surgery and radiation, treatment techniques and early detection, more and more women are being treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy instead of a mastectomy. Radiation therapy typically causes significant irritation of the skin in the treated area, which is much akin to a sunburn. The skin may feel raw, blistered, tender, and sensitive to touch, rubbing, movement, or stretching.
SUMMARYTo address the drawbacks above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved post-radiation therapy breast support garments that emphasize comfort against the skin of a wearer while providing functional support in the breast region.
In an embodiment, a garment for a wearer having breasts and an under bust located directly under the breasts includes a band configured to fit at the under bust of the wearer, a cup extending from the band, a head opening, and first and second arm openings. The cup includes an outer layer, an inner layer that is interior to the outer layer, and an attachment component configured to removably couple an insert to the inner layer. When the insert is coupled to the inner layer, at least a portion of the insert is exposed to the skin.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.
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It should be recognized that the structural design of garments according to the present invention may vary. With reference to
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It should be recognized that embodiments of the present invention may include other features. For example, while the garments 10, 30 are not illustrated with lace or other ornamentation, such ornamentation may be included. Further, a garment may include a netting that could hold treatment creams against the skin. Alternatively, a wearer may place a treatment cream on the insert, inner layer, or more generally on the cup. Further, while the garments 10, 30 are each illustrated as a bra, it will be recognized that embodiments of the present invention may be directed to other garments including, for example, a camisole, an exercise top, a swim top, or a garment to be worn under sleepwear.
While specific embodiments have been described in considerable detail to illustrate the present invention, the description is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details or representative illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A garment for a wearer having breasts and an under bust located directly under the breasts, comprising:
- a band configured to fit at the under bust of the wearer;
- a cup extending from the band comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer that is interior to the outer layer; and an attachment component configured to removably couple an insert to the inner layer;
- a head opening; and
- first and second arm openings;
- wherein, when the insert is coupled to the inner layer, at least a portion of the insert is exposed to the skin.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the band and outer layer are made of a material comprising about 70-80% bamboo viscose.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the material further comprises about 10-30% polyamide and about 5-20% elastane.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is made of satin or a ribbed microtexture material.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner layer extends from the cup along an inner surface of the band and to an outer surface of the band.
6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the inner layer extends along the outer surface of the band to a bottom edge of the cup.
7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising the insert.
8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the insert is made of a hydrogel.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the attachment component comprises a plurality of threads.
10. The garment of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the cup rests against an inframammary fold of the breast.
11. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a front closure and a flap positioned between the front closure and the skin.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2018
Inventor: Jessica Guarnaschelli Gumlaw
Application Number: 15/653,174