Teen invented smart bra to detect cancer or tumors in breast at early stage

 

The Eva bra uses biosensors to collect data that could help detect early signs of breast cancer.

Higia Technologies

Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer will definitely increase the chances of recovery and survival. Sometimes it is found after symptoms appear, but in many cases, women with breast cancer do not show any symptoms.

Mexican student Julian Rios Cantu,21, has reportedly developed a bra (in 2016) with biosensors  which can detect signs/physical changes of breast cancer early enough that the chances of a full recovery are far higher.

Julian Rios Cantú

The cancer-detecting bra, named "Eva Bra" is equipped with approximately 200 biosensors that would measure temperature changes, blood circulation to the breast tissue and weight and shape of breasts, log them in an app and warn users of any changes.

For example, if the bra detects a higher temperature in the breast, it could imply this is due to increased blood flow in the area, possibly because of a growing tumor. Sensors then send the data via Bluetooth to a computer or smartphone app, where it is analyzed.

'Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, impacting 2.1 million women each year and also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among women. It is the second most common type of cancer in women. In 2018, it is estimated that 627,000 women died from breast cancer – that is approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women. While breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed regions, rates are increasing in nearly every region globally'- WHO report.

Who inspired Cantu to make smart "Eva Bra",

Top prize winner of $20000 at Global Student Entrepreneur Awards(GSEA)winner Cantu's invention was inspired by his mother, whose cancer resulted in a double mastectomy.

He was just 13, when Cantu's mother was diagnosed with two bouts with breast cancer, then he along with his three friends developed the Eva bra through his company HigiaTechnologies to help other women combat breast cancer. This smart bra identifies cancer cells in their early stages.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Julian says, “My mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor. The first time she was diagnosed I was eight years old.”

“My mom could have had a better outcome if she had been diagnosed earlier, but because of the high density of her breasts, the X-ray missed the tumors,” he says.

A Mexican Student Invented a Bra that detects Cancer or Tumors in the Breasts 

📷 julianrioscantu/Instagram

It is during that time Julian realized how difficult it must be for women who are from developing countries of Mexico and don't have life insurance and that not mastectomy but death is the only outcome from them.

Cantú’s friend Antonio Torres had also experienced his grandmother’s battle with breast cancer, so Cantú began researching breast cancer and early detection. Armed with information and an idea for new technology, Cantú invented EVA, a bra that uses thermal technology to detect breast cancer.

"I realized the tremendous instability of the current methods of detecting breast cancer. Then I started investigating..."- Cantu told Infobae news media.

"Tumors surround themselves with blood vessels to obtain oxygen and nutrients in order to continue growing. As soon as there is a malformation of the breast or a tumor, there is an excess of vascularization, The greater the flow of blood, the higher the temperature."- he added.

In 2017, Julian was awarded Mexico’s Presidential Medal for Science and Technology. It has also been named one of “30 Most Promising Businesses of 2018” by Forbes Magazine Mexico. They have also received a $120,000 investment from Y Combinator.

"devoted to boosting women's quality of life by attaining a professionalization of the self-exploration method for the early and effective detection of breast cancer".- company website.

Is the Eva Bra clinically accurate?

According to a report published in Parentology- More than 350 patients have undergone clinical trials using the bra with an 81.7% specificity rate.

So far, feedback to the EVA bra has been overwhelmingly positive. But, further testing is required. The EVA bra is intended to serve as an early warning signal, alerting women to the need for a health check.

To allow the bra to gather data on a regular basis, the user will need to wear it for around 90 minutes every week. The bra has been used in clinical studies on over 350 patients, with an 81.7 percent specificity rate. Cantú says he just wants to make sure no women suffer the way his mother did with a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.

Rios Cantu said EVA has many strategic partners ranging from enterprises, associations, private hospitals and public agencies such as the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS).

Rios Cantu, founder of the company Higia Technologies, said-"in the coming years public institutions could distribute the devices to their patients."

In addition to Mexico, the smart bra is tested in other countries like Spain, Colombia, China and the United States, for its future commercialization.