Two seemingly divergent, but both rapidly growing fields are
cancer
diagnosis/treatment and wearable
electronics. The two, however, may soon be combining, thanks to new
cancer-detecting garments.
Leading the trend is the cancer-detecting
bra invented by Professor Elias Siores, director of the Centre for Research
and Innovation at the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom. Looking
for novel ways to detect breast cancer, Professor Siores conceived of an electronic
bra which would detect cancer at an early stage.
Since, Professor Siores has been hard at work, designing and prototyping the
device and will soon begin testing his creations. The new cancer
detecting bra uses a series of microwave antennae to pick up heat changes
within the breast. Tumors demand blood flow, increasing heat in cancerous
regions. This heat change is picked up by the high-tech bra. This
technique is known as thermography.
The device uses passive microwaves, the same kind used to detect the location
of submarines or pinpoint star locations. According to the University
there are no risks associated with this form of microwaves, but obvious
benefits. "If we can identify [cancer-related] transformations that
emanate these heat signatures, we may be able to detect these cancers early,"
remarked
Professor Siores.
He hopes to have a market version of the bra ready to go on sale within a
couple years. The finished version might include a visual or audio
warning signal to warn users if possible cancer was detected. The device
could be used to monitor breast cancer treatment in addition to early detection.
Some are skeptical of his work. Thermography has been around nearly 20
years, but the iteratively improved mammogram method or other
more exotic methods are considered far more accurate. At issue is the
fact that a variety of other factors can raise heat in a specific region,
yielding a false positive. "There are benign growths and nonmalignant
inflammatory changes, which might also increase blood flow," said Anne
Rosenberg, a breast surgeon at Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital.
Nonetheless, Professor Siores is forging ahead on preparing the product for
market. The university already has developed commercial partnerships with
RES Ltd, Russia; Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters Association (ITKIB);
the Greek national health service, IKA, and the Hong Kong Productivity Council
(HKPC), and hopes to establish more in the near future.