At a small tailoring shop on the outskirts of Nairobi, breast cancer survivors are finding comfort, confidence and community through handmade knitted breast prostheses. The initiative is led by Mary Mwangi, herself a cancer survivor who underwent years of treatment for spinal cancer followed by breast cancer, ultimately losing both breasts in a double mastectomy. During her recovery, she returned to knitting a childhood hobbyas a form of therapy to cope with the physical and emotional toll of the illness and the loss of income.
Mwangi says one of the hardest challenges was the stigma she faced after surgery, something she realized many women endure quietly. Determined to support others while rebuilding her livelihood, she began making soft, colorful prosthetic breasts from yarn. The knitted forms, filled with yarn and worn in specially adapted bras with pockets, come in various sizes and can be made in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. At about $11 each, they are far more affordable than silicone prostheses, which can cost around $170—well beyond the reach of many Kenyan women.
Beyond the physical solution, the project has grown into a support network. Mwangi runs weekly classes where survivors learn to knit the prostheses and share their experiences. “When we meet, we encourage one another. We uplift each other,” she says. Breast cancer affects more than 6,700 women in Kenya each year. For many who undergo mastectomies, the knitted prostheses offer not only a practical alternative but also a way to regain self-esteem and face society with renewed confidence.
