An inconspicuous device in your bra could help catch breast cancer early.
The humble brassiere could play a more pivotal role as a US-based company has unveiled plans for a hi-tech device that can be worn inside the bra to help detect breast cancer.
Catching the cancer
early is crucial to survival rate and the efficacy of traditional annual mammograms as a reliable detection method is being called into question, with tumours beginning to form up to six years before they can be detected using mammograms.
The company believes that their device will be able to detect tumours early and reduce the rate of false positives and negatives, thereby helping women seek treatment as soon as possible following a diagnosis.
The invention takes the form of a sensor that is placed inside the bra where it will measure any changes in cell temperature caused by the blood vessel growth associated with tumours as they develop. The launch of the bra is said to be planned for 2013.