MIT Scanner is potential Breast Cancer detection Game-Changer

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#USA, October 23, 2023 – A new breast scanning tool, able to attach to a bra, has been created by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) they say it could help monitor patients at high risk for breast cancer.

In a July 28th article and research paper, the ‘conformable’ ultrasound device was introduced ‘In hopes of improving the overall survival rate for breast cancer patients’

It’s designed to be used between mammograms and fits over the breast of the patient who can then, at home, generate images comparable to medical grade that will show growths not visible to the naked eye.

The researchers explained the thought process behind the flexible honeycomb shape

“The human breast presents a particular challenge, as its geometry and deformability are highly variable not only between subjects but also at different times and ages within a given subject.” They continued,  “With the design of a scanning trace to physically guide — integrated into a nature-inspired honeycomb patch, the array can fully cover the entire breast surface and obtain a multi-angle image reconstruction from different views.”

The bra uses magnets to attach to a special bra with openings for the scanner to probe the breast tissue.

Though mammograms are reasonably affordable with insurance, long-term costs can pile up and in between regular screenings, aggressive forms of breast cancer can develop.  The device was created to help catch these in-between cancers early.

The report explains that Canan Dagdeviren, Senior author of the study, was inspired to create the product after her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer between regular screenings and passed away quickly after.