Bionic Breast Project: A Neuroprosthesis to Restore Touch Sensation and Reduce Chronic Pain After Mastectomy
This trial seeks to establish whether or not touch sensation can be restored to the breast via neural stimulation. Data will also be obtained to inform future feasibility (including safety), efficacy, and acceptability trials.
• 18 years of age or older
• Scheduled for bilateral mastectomy with two-stage (tissue expander) reconstruction at UCM
• Bilateral mastectomy for unilateral in situ or T1to T2, clinically, N0 (no lymph node involvement) breast cancer or breast cancer risk reduction due to known elevated breast cancer risk. (Note - 19-34% of women choosing mastectomy for small unilateral breast cancer elect bilateral mastectomy.)40 We will enroll from this cohort.
• Agrees to have breast tissue expander removed within 12-20 weeks of implantation.
• Has access to a cell phone and willing to provide the research interviewer with the cell phone number
• Agrees to receive text messages from the study
• Able to speak and understand English or Spanish
• Able to participate in the informed consent process