Scientists create bra that can monitor breast cancer; understand

O breast cancer is the most common among women in Brazil. According to estimates from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), in 2023 there were 73.6 thousand new diagnoses, which represents 30.1% of all malignant tumors in females. Furthermore, especially due to its high prevalence, it is responsible for the highest number of deaths among cancer patients: 18,100 last year.

But, researchers from the Center for Innovation in Medical Technologies at Nottingham Trent University, in England, hope that a new development could change this scenario: a bra that can, non-invasively, monitor breast cancer in real time and identify the its growth.

The innovative technology works by using an electrical current that scans the breast and detects small changes in fluids inside and outside the cells. Scientists explain that, as tumor tissue is denser than healthy tissue, as it contains less water, these changes suggest the evolution of cancer – which can be seen with an increase as small as 2 mm.

The idea is that this tool – which can either be incorporated into the new bra, or be developed in the form of an accessory to be inserted into other pieces – is used in conjunction with treatment and other regular exams, such as mammography. The data collected by it will be recorded and passed on to the patient and doctor, which allows for continuous evaluation.

With this, the researchers’ expectation is that the need for so many other tests will be reduced, which consequently facilitates the patient’s treatment and generates financial savings for the woman and health services.

“We are opening the door to investigating an alternative breast cancer screening option that could be done in the comfort of a patient’s home, conserving essential hospital resources while also offering a viable solution for detecting early signs of cancer.” explains Yang Wei, a researcher at the center that develops the technology, in a statement.

Furthermore, they believe that it can provide greater peace of mind by being able to detect changes almost immediately, without having to wait for the period between exams.

“The technology will measure changes in breast tissue and help increase a patient’s chance of survival. Breast cancer can grow so quickly that it can be 1 mm in six months or 2 mm in six weeks. This would be an additional measure to check the speed of tumor growth,” continues Wei.

The next step for scientists is to validate the technology in smaller experiments to, in the coming years, take it to clinical trials – studies with patients that could prove the safety and effectiveness of the procedure and, possibly, authorization from regulatory agencies for use in clinical practice.