18/08/2026
World Breast Cancer Research Day 🎀
Research is how we keep moving forward.
For people who have experienced breast cancer and ni**le loss, restoration can be about so much more than physical appearance.
It can be about confidence, identity, choice and feeling more like yourself again!
We're really excited to share that we are in the process of planning a research project that will further explore experiences - and centre the voices - of those who have undergone medical ar**la tattooing following mastectomy in the UK.
We know that there is variation in choice when it comes to this tattooing, with impacts on satisfaction and outcomes.
We hope that this project's findings will be able to inform those undergoing this procedure, as well as clinicians, medical tattooists, service managers and commissions.
The research project will be led by a trainee clinical psychological under research supervision on a professional doctorate in clinical psychology programme in the UK and guided by a steering group of individuals with personal and professional lived experience.
Subject to appropriate ethical reviews and approvals, we are really pleased to get going in the near future!
We’re still in the early stages of planning, but we’re incredibly grateful to be beginning this work alongside:
Dr Nate Shearman - Senior Clinical Psychologist in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery & Senior lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Laura Ellis - Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Anita Wraith - Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Lucy Thompson BCAh - Medical tattoo artist & charity CEO
An Associate Specialist in Breast Surgery & MDT Lead for breast cancer
A Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Because the future of breast cancer care isn't just about 'survival'. It's about living well afterwards, having choices, and understanding what matters to the people experiencing it. 💗
Watch this space for more 📝