Realetee, a revolutionary approach to external breast prostheses

What pushed you to develop solutions for women affected by breast cancer?

I have been specializing in facial prosthetics for 15 years. The observation is alarming, breast cancer strikes 60,000 women per year in France and as most of the families of members of mine are affected, so I wondered: how to restore this anatomical part which is removed from them, particularly for those (13,000 each year) who only have this solution, reconstruction using an external breast prosthesis. Those offered today in no way correspond to patients’ expectations, in particular because they do not reflect their silhouette in terms of volume, color and appearance. However, today, the well-being of the patient has become an essential concept. In the post-cancer period, there is still a life to live, hence the importance of providing patients with a prosthesis that gives them the opportunity to continue living their life in the full sense of the term, without hiding, without disruption. social (family, spouse, friends, sport and work, etc.). This is what our tailor-made external breast prostheses allow (nipple, halo, volume, custom color of the breast, all of which is restored thanks to 3D scanning and recreated using human know-how). The prosthesis thus created restores the silhouette and comfort and gives patients the possibility of re-appropriating their anatomy and their identity and thus recovering their dignity as women.

How is the prosthesis attached to the body?

It is “impacted on the body” thanks to the 3D processes initiated by us, we find perfect intimacy between the body and the prosthesis. As a result, it fits perfectly in the patient’s bra. Moreover, and this is very important, women can keep their lingerie from before cancer, unlike current standard prostheses which do not allow this and require purchasing a suitable bra. In addition, we have created specific adhesives for this prosthesis. This could make it possible to hold the prosthesis without a bra in certain cases.

Do you have partners within the medical community?

The ideal is obviously to intervene systematically before the mastectomy and to integrate the patient’s care pathway as soon as breast cancer is announced. This is something hospitals are now considering. This is why they are starting to open their doors to us. We are clearly placing ourselves in a disruptive alternative by archiving the bodies of patients. For the latter, it is comforting to be able to have a 3D imprint of the breast as soon as the disease is announced in case a mastectomy is subsequently necessary. We are thus transforming the way in which the subject of rehabilitation following breast cancer is approached, while too many women cannot benefit from surgical reconstruction. From January, we will begin a partnership with the Antoine Lacassagne Center (Nice), a center of excellence in the fight against cancer and are in discussions with the Alpes-Maritimes cancer league for their support.

Other French institutes and hospitals such as Tenon Hospital, the Paris St-Joseph hospital group and the Gustave Roussy Institute saw an interest in this alternative for the physical and moral reconstruction of women. We are in discussions to enter the phase of clinical studies which will involve numerous patients. This recognition by health professionals also gives us credibility and good hope that in the future our prostheses will be covered by social security and therefore by mutual insurance companies.

What are your international ambitions?

We are at the origin of a unique, patented global innovation. International development is on the agenda. We have recently been creating a structure in Brazil and at the same time, we want to be active in Europe, particularly in Switzerland and England, territories for which we are starting to build our projects. Other countries such as Canada, Saudi Arabia and even India have already contacted us. These stages of development open new doors for us and will obviously involve future fundraising.

For all the information, go to the website https://www.realetee.com/