A small tailoring shop on the outskirts of Nairobi is producing a simple yet transformative solution for thousands of Kenyan women facing breast cancer: soft, knitted breast prostheses that restore dignity at a fraction of the commercial cost. The initiative, founded by a cancer survivor, directly addresses both the financial barrier and the social stigma associated with mastectomy.
The project is the brainchild of Mary Mwangi, who owns the shop. Her personal journey with cancer—first spinal, then breast—included extensive treatment, loss of income, and the profound psychological impact of a double mastectomy. During her recovery, she returned to a childhood hobby, knitting, as a form of therapy to occupy her mind. This craft soon evolved into a practical response to a widespread problem she witnessed: many women, after mastectomy, faced social isolation and stigma in silence, often unable to afford conventional silicone breast forms.
Mwangi began creating knitted prostheses, which are stuffed with yarn and inserted into specially adapted bras with pockets. The production is notably swift; smaller prostheses take about 15 minutes, larger ones around 30 minutes. This efficiency allows for affordability. Each knitted prosthetic costs approximately $11, compared to the $170 typical for silicone alternatives, a price point that makes them accessible to a far wider population.
Beyond affordability, the process is therapeutic. Mwangi holds weekly classes where women learn to knit the prostheses, creating a supportive community space. “Now when we meet, when we are together, we encourage one another. We uplift each other,” she says. These sessions provide peer support while simultaneously producing the essential items.
This grassroots model tackles a critical need. Over 6,700 Kenyan women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and for those requiring mastectomy, the physical recovery is often accompanied by deep psychological scars related to body image and societal acceptance. The knitted prostheses offer an immediate, tangible way to reclaim self-confidence and navigate public life with greater assurance.
By merging practical craft with community care, Mwangi’s initiative provides a low-cost, high-impact intervention. It demonstrates how localized, survivor-led innovation can fill significant gaps in both healthcare economics and psychosocial support, offering a replicable model for addressing post-mastectomy stigma in resource-limited settings.
