Cancer-Detecting Sports Bra Protects You in More Ways Than One Beth Snyder October 18, 2012 You pretty much have to live under a rock to not know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. You also pretty much have to live under a rock to not know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. If you’re really lucky, no one you know lost their life to it, but I’m betting that for many of you, as with me, that is sadly not the case. Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the US alone every year. Men have a one in 1,000 chance of developing breast cancer. Worldwide, it is the principle cause of cancer death in women. This is not just a woman’s disease, although it is more prevalent among females. We have been hearing for years about how early detection is key to saving lives, so almost anything that hits the market offering to reduce our chances of death from this horrific disease should be at the top of our collective shopping lists. Fully one-third of cancer deaths (nearly 400,000 worldwide) could be decreased each year through early detection. And then along comes the First Warning Systems’ Breast Tissue Screening Bra. While still in the development stage, this is definitely one to keep an eye on. It incorporates a breast tissue screen into a sports bra, something many women already wear on a regular basis. Even for those who don’t, I’m sure the incentive to do so is high enough to make it worthwhile. The bra contains sensors that measure minute changes in temperature, which occurs when blood vessels grow to feed tumors. It also features a constant feedback of information regarding breast health, and works with statistical analysis software to aid in spotting possible tumor growth sooner than a mammogram or self-examination would do so. The bra showed a 92.1% accuracy in classifying 650 women of all ages. In case you’re wondering, that is a considerably higher success rate than a mammogram, which can boast only about 70% accuracy. And accuracy can, quite literally, mean the difference between life and death. First Warning Systems is planning to make the bra commercially available in Europe next year, but I’m sure the rest of the world will soon follow. Pricing and availability has not yet been made public. Even without one of these in your drawer, please make sure you or your loved ones perform regular self-examinations, and get mammograms as suggested by doctors. Early detection is key to survival. Isn’t that worth a few minutes of your time each month? Breast cancer awareness is not just for October. It should be a way of life…and could very well save your life. Source: Gizmodiva Share This With The World!
