'Smart Bra' Developing as Cancer Detector

Scientists' plan: Put undergarments to work for at-risk women
By Emily Roysdon,  Newser User
Posted Oct 5, 2007 8:00 AM CDT
'Smart Bra' Developing as Cancer Detector
Researchers are working on a bra they hope will detect breast cancer.   (Index Stock)

Lingerie is about to become a lifesaver. UK researchers are developing a bra that would detect breast cancer, and hope to stitch the same technology into briefs that spot prostate cancer, reports the Discovery Channel. Serving as an early-warning system, the underwear would monitor temperature changes between areas of internal tissue, often an indication of cancerous tumors.

Fiber-like antennas would transmit the info to a microchip, and specialized software would sound an audio or visual alarm if conditions indicated the likely presence of cancerous cells. The team aims to have a functioning prototype in one year, but the bras won't be Victoria's Secret material: they require too much power for prolonged use but could be worn during checkups. (More cancer stories.)

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