Breast cancer remains one of the two most-common types of cancer in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It’s the fifth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths annually. According to Breastcancer.org in 2022, an estimated 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 51,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 43,250 women are expected to die in 2022. Death rates have been steady in female patients under 50 since 2007, but have continued to drop in those over 50. The overall death rate decreased by 1% per year from 2013 to 2018. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances and earlier detection through screening.
On the occasion of Pink October, Breast Cancer Awarness Month, we decided to highlight some of the identified innovations by MedInsights since november 2021 that can revolutionize the diagnosis and translate into an improved management of breast cancer.
Smart Bra that detects early breast cancer : Developped by a Nigerian lady, Bolarinwa Kemisola, it is a safe and easy-to-use bra that can detect breast cancer in its early stage. This new technology is said to be harmless to body tissues as it is a nanotechnology with small sensors. Women won’t need to visit the hospital to do a mammogram but can in the space of 5 minutes run the check at the comfort of their home.
Healshape, the 3D bioprosthesis : The Lyon-based biotech company has invented a breast bioprosthesis capable of reconstructing the entire breast from the patient’s own cells, then naturally and completely resorbing it in less than a year. It utilizes a new breast reconstruction protocol combining 3D bioprinting and breast regeneration. A possible revolution in the post-treatment of breast cancer. The Lyon-based startup won the “10,000 startups to change the world” 2022 prize, organized by La Tribune, in the “Health” category.
Dotplot Device : Postgraduate students at the Royal College of Art have created a portable tool to help women check their breasts for abnormalities. The handheld device, called Dotplot, is a breast health monitoring tool that uses sensing technology – a technology that uses sensors to acquire information by detecting the physical property quantities and convert them into readable signals – to build a map of the user’s chest and take readings of their breast tissue. When used over a period of several months, it’s able to provide month-by-month comparisons of breast tissue, helping to flag abnormalities as soon as possible. Moreover; the device can be connected to an app that guides users as they check their breasts.
Imagio Breast Imaging System : Seno Medical has received a PMA for their system, a device that differentiates between benign and malignant breast lesions using opto-acoustic/ultrasound (OA/US) technology. The technology stands out because of the approach and method Seno is taking for breast cancer detection. It includes an artificial intelligence decision-support tool called the Seno Gram, to aid physicians in interpreting the new images. This AI tool, along with training and certification, helps radiologists transition from ultrasound alone to OA/US imaging.
Sports bra jacket : Malabar Cancer Centre has developed an easy method to diagnose breast cancer. Wearing a sports bra-like jacket fixed with sensors helps to detect cancer easily. The new cancer detection method is cheap and has no side effects. The test requires the person to wear it and wait for 30 minutes. Each cup of the jacket includes 16 sensors that will detect the position and volume of the cancer cells by identifying the temperature difference between the normal cells and cancer cells in the breast region. The result will be available in a graph format in the connected monitor.