Mac & Co. Mission

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In the past few decades, the quality of medical care has greatly improved with new and emerging technologies. These improvements have covered things such as recovery time, patient quality of life, and pain management. However, despite these improvements, we still see patients in tie-back gowns or other “special garments” that cause discomfort and increase negative body image.  

While these gowns and special garments are often temporarily worn by most patients, that is not the case with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. During chemotherapy these gowns can be worn for much longer periods of time, as well as in front of doctors, nurses, family, and other patients.  

A cancer patient receiving chemotherapy can be in the hospital for a couple of hours or several days; and during that time they must also receive MRI and PET scans. During an MRI scan patients cannot wear any garment with metal notions, (zippers, snaps, bra adjusters,) severely limiting their choices of apparel. 

It is important to note that many patients attempt to change throughout the day, but this is difficult as there are few private places to change in the hospital. It can be physically exhausting for patients to change multiple times a day. 

In conclusion, cancer patients would benefit from a garment that can be worn in an MRI machine, to doctors’ appointments, and throughout treatment without the need to change. 

When receiving chemotherapy patients have a port surgically implanted in their chest. This port must be accessible to nurses when undergoing treatment and requires the patient to expose part or all of their chest. Treatment is also received in “cancer bays” or rooms full of other patients, families, and nurses giving patients no privacy. Cancer patients deserve a garment that gives them privacy.  

It is important to note that 58.3% of cancer patients report having a worsening negative body image as they undergo treatment (NCBI). This negative body image is caused by several things, including the physical effects of treatments, the natural body dysphoria that comes with sickness, and the lack of control patients feel in hospitals.  

We believe that strong research, thoughtful design, and inspired product development could help to alleviate discomfort and improve body image in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and that is what this case study aims to achieve. The creation of a product that gives patients privacy, comfort, and control back into their lives is OUR GOAL.