New 'wearable ultrasound' holds promise for early detection of breast cancer; meet

Renowned researchers MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) have developed an innovative wearable ultrasound device capable of detecting early-stage breast cancer.

The institution believes that such technology can significantly improve the survival rate of patients with this disease, in addition to improving their quality of life and control over their own health.

Importance of early detection

Early detection is a crucial factor in the successful treatment of breast cancer, because when diagnosed early, the survival rate is almost 100%.

However, when the disease is only diagnosed in more advanced stages, the survival rate drops dramatically to just 25%. It shows how wearable ultrasound can make a difference, saving millions of lives.

The so-called 'wearable ultrasound'

The device consists of a flexible adhesive designed to be attached to a bra. The user is able to move an ultrasound tracker along the patch, obtaining images of the breast tissue from different angles.

The researchers demonstrated that the resolution of the images obtained is comparable to that of ultrasound equipment used in medical centers.

Wearable ultrasound. (image: MIT/Reproduction)

The device was successfully tested on a 71-year-old woman with a history of cysts. The device was able to visualize up to eight centimeters deep, similar results to what would be obtained by a conventional ultrasound.

The detected cysts were only 0.3 centimeters in diameter, equivalent to early-stage tumors.

From this result, the researchers proved the enormous potential of this device to identify abnormalities at an early stage, thus increasing the chances of successful treatment.

Next steps

The next steps of this promising technology include the development of a miniaturized version of the imaging system, with the approximate size of a smartphone.

This will facilitate home use of the device by patients at high risk of cancer, allowing frequent visits and eliminating the need to travel to a clinic for consultation with specialist.

In addition, the researchers plan to incorporate theArtificial intelligence(AI) to the data analysis process collected by the devices.

This will enable a more accurate analysis of image changes over time, aiding in the continuous monitoring of patients' breast health. Anyway, the future of this device looks quite promising.