A new model of external breast prosthesis has just seen the light of day in Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes, for women with breast cancer. It is unlike any other on the market. Printed in 3D, the medical silicone breast is unique because it is personalized according to the woman who has just undergone a mastectomy. Julien Montenero, prosthetist, developed this technique after 20 years of reflection.
The co-founder of Realetee, a start-up created in 2022, meets women in his office in Nice. During this first meeting, he takes “breast print” before the mastectomy. Grace “to some kind of camera”il “sweep the bust” of the person without ever touching it. “I’m a meter away from her and it takes a minute. » He takes note of the color of the skin and the specificities of the female anatomy. The latter leave with an estimate.
She imitates skin color and nipple
After the operation, women can come back to order the prosthesis if they choose not to opt for a reconstruction or if they are not able to do so. “Either they come to Nice and follow the entire manufacturing process. It lasts about four to five days. Either, if they cannot go to Nice, it takes two and a half months. » Then the silicone breast can slip into a lambda bra or stick to the skin. “They can keep their lingerie and not buy a post-op bra. It is very important for their femininity. »
The prostheses also reproduce the nipple and the areola. All skin colors can be imitated. If the woman ages or sees her weight fluctuate, Julien Montenero can produce a new prosthesis taking into account these new parameters. “I tell these women, ‘I want to give you back what you were.’ It’s not a prosthesis, it’s their breast! »
Between €1,500 and €4,000
Such a custom-made prosthesis, which can be temporary or permanent, can cost between « 1 500 et 4 000 € ». It is not reimbursed by Social Security unlike “to those for the face”, deplores Julien Montenero who does not despair that the rules change in this area. At the same time, he recalls that “Breast cancer is the first to affect women… The High Authority for Health and the government cannot ignore this prosthesis solution. » The entrepreneur has filed patents and is waiting for HAS to officially recognize this new technology.
The 45-year-old prosthetist, who has lost several relatives to breast cancer, wants to register “in the course of care”. For now, some hospitals give his contact to women who have just learned of their illness. “You should know that there are only three weeks between the announcement of the cancer and the operation. » Time is counted.
18 prostheses produced
Even if Julien Montenero needs to take a picture of the breast before the mastectomy to reproduce it in 3D, he also receives women who have already been operated on for several years. In this specific case, he then relies on the breast that has not been removed or on the anatomy of the body.
For the moment, the professional has taken 60 breast impressions and made 18 prostheses. The workshop is currently located in Nice but others could be created quickly, especially in Paris “but also in the big cities of France like Nantes, Bordeaux, Lille…”