Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year with 129,000 new cases diagnosed in 2020, according to the World Health Organization.
Researchers in Nigeria have developed a smart bra, which they say can detect breast cancer early. The prototype contains small ultrasound sensors that scan the breasts, revealing the location of any tumors.
The team hopes the device could improve breast cancer diagnosis in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women are currently forced to undergo long journeys to access screening services.
‘In this region, estimates for 5-year survival are near or below 50 per cent,’ WHO explained,
‘One in two women diagnosed with the disease have died within five years after diagnosis, compared with fractions in the USA of one in five for Black women and one in 10 for White women.’
The smart bra was developed by Nextwear Technology, a wearables firm based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking to SciDev.NetKemisola Bolarinwa, a robotics engineer who developed the smart bra, said: ‘My beloved mother died of breast cancer in 2017 at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria because it was diagnosed late.
‘In her ward at the hospital, I saw women of different age groups, even teenagers, groaning in the pain of breast cancer.
‘That was when I felt I needed to contribute my part to fight the disease.’
The bra is lined with small, battery-operated ultrasound sensors, and syncs up with a mobile or web app.
‘The result will show if the tumor is benign [harmless] or malignant [harmful],’ Ms Bolarinwa explained.
‘The smart bra must be worn on the breasts for a maximum of 30 minutes for the result to show. The app also has an interface for the result to be transmitted to a doctor.’
While women currently have to go to the doctor to be screened for breast cancer, Ms Bolarinwa says that women could use the device safely from the comfort of their home.
While women currently have to go to the doctor to be screened for breast cancer (stock image), Ms Bolarinwa says that women could use the device safely from the comfort of their home
‘If they could detect early that they have cancer, then they will be safe, and many don’t have to die,’ she added.
Nextwear Technology has been working on the smart bra for four years, and hopes it will be ready to market by July this year.
‘We have conducted a local trial and got about 70 per cent accuracy. We are working towards 95-97 per cent accuracy,’ Ms Bolarinwa said.
The price for the bra remains unclear.
‘In this region, estimates for 5-year survival are near or below 50 per cent,’ the WHO explained.
‘One in two women diagnosed with the disease have died within five years after diagnosis, compared with fractions in the USA of one in five for Black women and one in 10 for White women.’
