Design graduate creates innovative adaptive clothing for breast cancer patients, inspired by late mother’s struggles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nanda Pavankumar, a 22-year-old design graduate from the College of Architecture, Trivandrum, has created a series of innovative clothing items specifically designed for breast cancer patients. These include kurtis, nighties and blouses that can be worn without the need to raise one's arms, as well as a sari that can be easily wrapped around the underskirt. Her designs aim to alleviate the discomfort many breast cancer patients experience while dressing, particularly those who struggle with limited arm mobility.

Nanda’s inspiration for this thoughtful project comes from her late mother, Sindhu Pavankumar, who passed away six years ago after battling breast cancer. Sindhu was a teacher at Varkala Sivagiri Higher Secondary School, and during her illness, she found it painful and challenging to wear traditional clothing. The difficulties her mother faced deeply affected Nanda, motivating her to create special clothing that would help others in similar situations.

For her graduation thesis, Nanda chose the topic "Adaptive Apparel for Breast Cancer Patients," with guidance from Dr. Chaitanya Solanki, a faculty member from Madhya Pradesh. Her designs are not only easy to wear but also practical. For instance, they allow for the easy removal of fluid bags attached to the breast and are suitable for patients with lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the arms.

In addition to their functionality, Nanda’s clothes are made from affordable cotton, unlike many adaptive garments found online, which can cost up to Rs 4,000. Nanda’s mission is to create comfortable and accessible clothing for the everyday person, with plans to bring her designs to the market soon.

Nanda’s father, K V Pavan Kumar, is an Account Manager at Doha Hitachi and her sister, Shilpa Pavankumar, works as an accountant for Doha Almana Group. Nanda's work is a heartfelt tribute to her mother and a beacon of hope for breast cancer patients seeking comfort and dignity in their daily lives.