This Bra Claims To Detect Cancer Better Than A Mammogram

We've seen some rather unusual lingerie before, like one that has a built-in heart sensor and some that light up in rather questionable circumstances. Cyrcadia Health is making yet another one, but this time it has a more serious tone. The iTbra is a "smart" bra that women can wear to take the place of a mammogram test or monthly tests. The bra is fitted with sensors which communicate with a doctor's or a user's mobile device, making cancer detection quicker and less awkward.

When talking about the "Big C", early detection can mean the difference between life or death. That is why women go through tests, no matter how uncomfortable or embarrassing they are, in order to give them a fighting chance. Unlike monitoring blood sugar levels, which are now starting to have less intrusive hi-tech methods, breast cancers test don't require drawing blood. That said, they are still not as comfortable as, well, wearing a bra.

iTbra, as the prototype is currently called, operates on the observation that cancerous tissues can be detected by sensing temperatures. The final version of the bra is aimed to have a grid-like mesh of sensors inside the fabric that will indeed monitor changes in temperature that will be taken as signs of increased blood flow and the growth of cancerous tissues.

The bra is currently still undergoing prototyping, testing, and FDA approval. An early analog version provided to the FDA used a wearable data pack, which, of course, would be quite uncomfortable to wear. The final version will make use of smaller, and hopefully more affordable, sensors that will be clustered inside the bra. The iTbra will be the star of Cisco's upcoming documentary entitled "DETECTED", which will focus on the early detection of breast cancer using wearable technology.

VIA: GigaOM