Tattoo service to re-start at trust

A CHARITY dedicated to empowering breast cancer survivors through its nipple tattoo services has announced a new partnership with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Nipple Innovation Project (known as NiP) will bring the charity’s expertise to patients at St Luke’s Hospital and offer realistic 3D nipple tattoos to those eligible.

Nipple tattoos are a transformative procedure for breast cancer survivors who have previously undergone mastectomy surgery. The 3D tattoos restore the appearance of the nipple and areola, promoting a sense of wholeness, body confidence and emotional wellbeing. It is carried out after the breast has had time to heal and is permanent.

Around 300 patients are treated for breast cancer in Bradford every year – the majority of whom retain their nipples. The service, which was previously carried out by specialist nurses, was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Breast cancer surgeon and multidisciplinary team lead, Catherine Tait, said: “We were naturally disappointed when we had to – understandably – pause the clinic temporarily during the pandemic but we are delighted that the breast tattooing service has been restarted again as this new partnership allows us to offer nipple tattoos again as a valuable option for post-mastectomy reconstruction.”

Founder and chief executive officer of NiP, Lucy Thompson, said: “We believe every breast cancer thriver deserves the opportunity to explore this empowering option and reclaim their body image after treatment.”