For this growing problem, C-MET, Centre for Materials for Electronic and Technology, under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has developed a wearable device for an early detection of breast cancer, which mammograms may fail to detect.
Every year over one lakh new breast cancer cases are registered making it one of the leading types of cancer in the country. Out of the 14.5 lakh cancer cases registered in the country in 2016, 1.5 lakh are new breast cancer cases.
For this growing problem, C-MET, Centre for Materials for Electronic and Technology, under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has developed a wearable device for an early detection of breast cancer, which mammograms may fail to detect.
"People in India are educated, but not 'cancer' educated," says Doctor GK Rath, Chief of Cancer Centre, AIIMS. "There are a lot of myths regarding cancer, as people are scared of the disease and sometimes live in denial. If detected timely, it can be cured just like any other curable illness. The problem is ignorance," he adds.
Breast cancer is high in India and women as young as 23 have been diagnosed with it. The cause of this sudden increase is still unknown. Till date, only mammograms have been the way to diagnose the problem which requires the breast to be pressed between two plates.
To avoid these inconvenience and problem, C-MET has designed a device that uses temperature sensors and would not expose women to any radiation or pain infliction.
"These sensors are arranged in the vests which are available in various sizes for different age groups. The temperature of a cancer cell is one degree more than the healthier cells and thus it would show data in graphical user interface. Doctors can see these images and find abnormalities," said Doctor NR Munirathnam, Director General, C-MET.
C-MET has already tested the device on 200 volunteers and patients and found it highly accurate. In both mammogram and thermal sensor device, the team of scientists found a 97 percent similarity in diagnostic results. It will take 12-18 months for the device to come out in the market and once it does, it will cost only around Rs 1.5 lakhs. Once bought, the device can be used for at least a decade.
"This device is easy to use, portable and works on battery. It can be taken to tribal areas as well. We included ASHA workers to take this system to community level for initial screening of breast cancer. It can be handled by operators with basic technical training and the results can be analyzed by Public Health centre doctors by wireless communication system," added Munirathnam.
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