March 18th 2024.
Scientists are currently working on a new, less invasive method to monitor breast cancer and potentially save lives. The idea is to create a device that can fit inside a bra and detect any changes in the size of a breast cancer tumor in real time. This device, if successful, could revolutionize the way we monitor and treat breast cancer.
The team at Nottingham Trent University's Medical Technologies Innovation Facility is developing this technology using a special form of electrical current that can scan and detect even the tiniest changes in fluids within and around the cells. Since tumor tissue is denser and contains less water than healthy tissue, this device will be able to accurately measure any changes or growth in the tumor, even as small as 2mm.
The plan is for this non-invasive technology to be inserted into a patient's bra or potentially even developed as a new bra with the device built in. It will work alongside other treatments and regular check-ups, providing real-time data to the wearer and their clinician via a smartphone. This will allow for better assessments and monitoring of tumor growth.
Ongoing monitoring of breast lumps is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. It can be challenging to accurately track the growth of a tumor, especially when it is less than 1cm in size. MRI scans, which are usually months apart, may not capture significant growth between visits. This new technology could bridge that gap and provide a more accurate and timely way to monitor tumor growth.
Dr. Yang Wei, an expert in electronic textiles and engineering at NTU, explains, "The technology will measure changes in breast tissue, giving patients a better chance of survival. Breast cancer can spread rapidly, growing 1mm in just six months or 2mm in six weeks. This device will provide an additional measure to track tumor growth and detect early signs of cancer."
The potential benefits of this technology are immense. With over 55,000 new cases of breast cancer in the UK each year and over 11,000 deaths, it is clear that we need more effective ways to detect and treat this disease. The scientists working on this project have refined the electronics and are now working towards optimizing and validating the technology. They hope to begin clinical trials in the near future.
Dr. Simon Vincent, director of research, support, and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, emphasizes the urgency of finding better ways to detect and treat breast cancer. "While this new technology shows promise in monitoring tumor growth, it has not yet been tested on people, and there is still much we need to understand before it can be used in medical settings. If you or someone you know is affected by breast cancer, please reach out to Breast Cancer Now's expert nurses for information and support."
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