Researchers are working on a device that would fit inside a bra to track the growth of a breast cancer tumor.
If successful, it is envisaged that the real-time tumor growth monitoring feature of the device will assist save patients’ lives in the future.
The device is being developed by a team at Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Medical Technologies Innovation Facility. It will employ a type of electrical current that can scan and identify minute variations in fluids both within and outside of cells.
Because tumor tissue is denser and less water-containing than healthy tissue, the gadget can assess changes in tumor growth, even at 2 mm intervals.
The non-invasive technology would be used in conjunction with treatment and other routine examinations and scans. The researchers believe that the device may be produced as a new bra that incorporates the device or utilized as an insert into a patient’s existing bra.
Data would be recorded and fed back to the wearer and clinician via smartphone so assessments can be made about growth.
Researchers hope this could help reduce the need for so many other checks and save money for health services.
Ongoing monitoring is important as tumour growth can vary significantly between patients and it is very difficult to monitor precisely, particularly under 1cm.
MRI scans can be months apart, the researchers say, and there could be significant growth between hospital visits.
Dr Yang Wei, an expert in electronic textiles and electronic engineering at NTU, said: ‘The technology would measure changes in breast tissue and help improve a patient’s chance of survival.
‘Breast cancer can grow so quickly, it could be 1mm in six months or 2mm in six weeks. This would be an additional measure to see how fast the tumour grows.
‘We are opening the door to the investigation of an alternative breast cancer detection that could be done in the comfort of a patient’s home, conserving essential hospital resources whilst still providing a viable solution to detect early signs of cancer.’
There are more than 55,000 new cases of breast cancer in the UK every year, with more than 11,000 deaths.
The scientists have honed the electronics functionality and will now work towards optimising and validating the technology.
They are aiming to move the device to clinical trial within the next few years.
Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said: ‘With over 55,000 people being diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK, and 11,000 sadly dying from the disease, research looking at how we can better detect and treat breast cancer is urgently needed.
‘While this new technology could offer a new way to monitor the growth of breast cancer tumours and we look forward to seeing the final results, the device has not yet been tested on people and there’s a lot more we need to understand before we can consider whether or not it could be used in medical settings.
