More breast cancer survivors in Bolton will now have access to specialist reconstructive care after the local NHS trust expanded its nipple tattoo service. The procedure, offered through Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Breast Unit, is designed to help women complete their breast reconstruction journey after mastectomy and cancer treatment.
Nursing staff recently received specialist training to perform the highly skilled tattoos, which use carefully matched pigments and shading techniques to create a natural-looking appearance. The unit already delivers more than 70 nipple tattoos each year through bi-monthly clinics, and the added expertise is expected to open the service to even more patients.
For many women, nipple tattooing marks the final stage of breast reconstruction. Clinicians say it can have a significant effect on wellbeing, body image, and self-confidence after what is often a long and difficult treatment process.
Training expands capacity within the unit
Annette Trengove, a Junior Sister in the Breast Unit, recently completed the specialist training and has already started offering the procedure to patients. She described the tattoo as a moment of closure for many women.
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“We support women at every step during their breast cancer from their diagnosis and receiving a nipple tattoo brings a sense of completion to their journey,” Trengove said.
“I’m so pleased to have received this training from our consultants on the unit. Experiencing breast cancer can be one of the most challenging times in someone’s life and it’s a privilege for me to able to create tattoos to help even more of our ladies feel more confident.”
The move to train nursing staff came in response to growing demand. Consultants within the unit have been performing the procedure since 2019, but the expansion is intended to reduce waiting times and make the service more accessible. That kind of internal capacity-building matters, because demand for reconstructive aftercare tends to rise steadily as more women complete primary treatment and look toward the next stage of recovery.
Patients describe the impact of the procedure
One patient, who received the treatment following her own surgery, spoke about what it meant to her. “The results are amazing. I feel and look like myself and couldn’t be happier with my treatment,” she said.
“You are supported the whole time, in a safe environment with lovely kind ladies who know and understand the journey you have gone through. Bolton are really supporting ladies who have undergone surgery with this amazing life-changing treatment.”
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Panos Pikoulas, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, said the unit offers the tattoo to every woman who has had a mastectomy and reconstruction, provided it is clinically safe to do so. Patients can choose the colour and shading so the result is tailored to their own body.
“We’re proud to be able to support even more women after they have received mastectomy and had breast reconstruction,” Pikoulas said. “The tattoos have huge impact on improving wellbeing and body image and can often be the final step in breast reconstruction.”
The expanded service reflects a broader push within the trust to provide holistic care that continues after active cancer treatment ends. That includes helping patients adapt physically and emotionally to changes in their bodies, which for many women is just as important as the surgery itself.
By training more staff and increasing clinic capacity, the unit hopes to shorten the path to what is often described as the last mile of reconstruction. The procedure itself is relatively quick, but its effect on how women see themselves can be lasting. For those who have spent months or years in treatment, that final step can carry more weight than the clinical details suggest.
