GRE Success in the Scottish New Ideas Competition January 11, 2013 John Biddlestone, a CRUK clinical PhD student from the Rocha Lab at the Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression has been named the regional winner of the Scottish Institute for Enterprise New Ideas Competition. John’s idea ‘an asymmetrical bra for use following reconstructive surgery for breast cancer’ was judged to be the overall winner in the recent regional heat. John received a cheque for £100 and now goes forward to join the other finalists from all Scottish higher education institutions to compete in the national round of the competition where he could win £500 as a category winner, with the overall winner also receiving £1,000 in business support! John’s idea came from his clinical work where he is training in Plastic Surgery. He said ‘It’s surprising a medical device like this has not been developed before! Thousands of women undergo reconstructive breast surgery each year in the UK. After surgery the reconstructed breast is usually smaller and unsupported throughout healing by conventional post-surgical bras that are fitted to the largest breast. The asymmetrical bra allows the user to specify different cup sizes for each breast which ensures that both breasts are perfectly supported throughout the healing process reducing post-operative pain and potentially improving wound healing.’ For the next stage of the competition John needs to canvas option on what makes a good bra. If you regularly wear a bra you can help by completing the short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P77B2FL . All responses are anonymous and will help to develop a new asymmetrical bra for patients following surgery for breast cancer.
