Kerala Scientist Develops Low-Cost Bra For Early Detection Of Breast Cancer
By NeucradHealth’s own news desk March 22, 2019
In a revolutionary invention, a renowned scientist from Thrissur district of Kerala, Dr A Seema designed a low-cost bra for the early detection of cancer. Dr Seema and her six-member team serve at C-MET (Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology), Thrissur. This remarkable achievement has won them the highest civilian honour for women, Nari Shakti Puraskar on the 8th march which was also International Women’s Day from the President of India Sri Ram Nath Kovind.
The use of this undergarment would be very beneficial for women across the globe as breast cancer is a widespread form of cancer, and reports suggest one out of every 22 women develop it. What is more alarming is, nowadays, younger women in the age group 30-40 are also getting detected with breast cancer in both urban and rural areas in India. So, an early diagnosis of the disease and prompt treatment facilities can help to improve the survival rate of patients manifold.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer is a type of malignancy where cancerous cells develop in lobules or ducts of breasts. Sometimes, cancer may also develop in the fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue of the breast. Mutation in the genes of breast cells is the principal cause of this disease, and it leads to uncontrolled growth of malignant cells.
What Are The Early Symptoms Of Breast Cancer?
Early signs of breast cancer include the formation of lump or thickening within the breast, development of red pitted skin all over the breast, pain, bloody discharge from the nipple, peeling, flaking, or scaling around the nipple, and inverted shape of the nipple.
How Is The Cancer-Detecting Bra Beneficial For Patients?
Though breast cancer is an extremely prevalent disease, in India there is a vast underlying deficit in the diagnosis and healing procedures. Moreover, there is also a lack of awareness about the disease among the general population. Most Oncologists advocate regular mammography- a typical breast cancer diagnosing imaging test after the age of 50 thanks to its high cost (INR 8000 to INR 1500). This is where the cost-effective cancer-detecting bra comes in. The pathbreaking device comes with sensors which help in detecting the presence of malignant cells by calculating the temperature difference of these cells while getting divided.
The cancer-detecting bra consists of sensors about 1millimetre long, 1 millimetre wide and 1.5millimetre deep which can help in the diagnosis of cancerous cells in just 15 to 30 minutes. Though the initial cost of developing this bra was approximately INR 500, Dr Seema feels it can be manufactured commercially at around INR 200, and a single test should not cost more than INR 50. They have successfully tested the product on 117 patients of Malabar Cancer Centre and findings were the same as found in the mammography test.
Is The Cancer-Detecting Bra Safe For The Human Body?
According to Dr Seema and her team, wearing the cancer-detecting bra does not cause any harm to the human body as it is comfortable, painless and free of any radiation. Even young girls within the age group 15 to 20 can wear it without any fear. Since it is a portable device, health care professional or ASHA workers can easily carry them easily in their bag during field visits. Moreover, young women can also undertake this test which is not possible in mammography as Oncologists usually recommend women above 40 to undergo the test.
Finally, we can say that though breast cancer is pervasive form of malignancy there is very less awareness among women about the early signs and diagnosis of the disease. Development of revolutionary products like the bra by Dr Seema can do wonders in early detection of cancer.
