Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect women in the US. In this country, about 30% of the new cases are diagnosed each year, according to Breastcancer.org.
In 2023, nearly 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are anticipated to be diagnosed in women living in the States.
Since this is becoming more common, Canan Dağdeviren decided to create a special bra that can detect the disease before it spreads.
The development of the wearable ultrasound monitor was inspired by Dağdeviren 's aunt's battle with cancer. The technology is expected to be a game-changer, saving 12 million lives annually.
How Canan Arrived With Ultrasound Bra For Breast Cancer Detection
Breast cancer affects the lives of many women throughout their life. A scientist developed a new wearable bra inspired by her aunt's battle with cancer. The device could detect the disease before it spreads.
As Wired reports, it was in 2015 when Dağdeviren 's aunt Fatma was diagnosed with breast cancer. The aggressive variant of the cancer sparked some ideas in her mind after she took a postdoctoral at MIT.
Then, she thought of creating an effective tool for breast cancer screening. The wearable device has served as a trendsetter in breast health since then.
Now an assistant professor at the MIT Media Lab, Dağdeviren leads the Conformable Decoders research group. Their mission: decoding the world's physical patterns through electronic devices that conform to the body. A
After six and a half years of overcoming funding challenges and technical hurdles, Dağdeviren's team has brought her off-the-cuff sketch to life—a wearable, flexible ultrasound patch nestled in a bra cup, secured by magnets.
Related Article: Breakthrough AI Breast Cancer Detection Tool Outperforms Radiologists in Landmark Danish Study
A Game-Changer in Breast Cancer Screening
Traditional methods, primarily mammograms, pose limitations with X-ray radiation, discomfort, and reduced accuracy, especially for women with dense breast tissue.
MIT's ultrasound patch, a palm-sized honeycomb design, addresses these issues. It adapts to the breast's shape, capturing real-time data for direct transmission to a mobile app. By miniaturizing ultrasound technology with novel piezoelectric material, the team has made daily breast health monitoring a tangible reality.
The Mammoth Problem: Catching Breast Cancer Quicker
Breast cancer, affecting one in eight women, claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually. MIT's wearable device aims to transform the screening landscape, providing 730 data points a year instead of the traditional one every two years.
Dağdeviren envisions saving 12 million lives annually, offering a lifeline to those who need early detection the most.
Advancing Breast Health Technology
In July 2023, MIT's team published a proof-of-concept paper showcasing the device's ability to spot cysts as small as 0.3 centimeters.
As they gear up for larger trials, Dağdeviren plans to involve MIT's female faculty in testing the technology. The goal is to expand access, ensuring the technology benefits high-risk individuals and underserved populations globally.
Beyond Breast Cancer: A Window into the Human Body
Dağdeviren envisions her invention reaching beyond breast health, becoming a versatile tool for monitoring various body parts. The potential applications extend to pregnancy monitoring, as demonstrated by Dağdeviren herself.
With plans to establish a company for FDA-approved licensing, she aims to make this technology accessible to all, bridging the gap in healthcare disparities.
Knowing Your Body Every Day
The ultimate vision is to empower people with daily insights into their bodies, akin to checking the weather forecast. Dağdeviren challenges the status quo, questioning why we know more about the external world than our internal tissues.
MIT's breakthrough technology is not just a device; it's a huge life-changing tool, offering a proactive approach to healthcare—one that brings us closer to understanding our bodies on a daily basis.
Aside from the ultrasound bra, there's also a new robot that can help with the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This one was made possible through the efforts of scientists at the University of Bristol.
Read Also: Cleveland Woman Becomes First Breast Cancer Vaccine Recipient
