Tech to the rescue: The Internet of Everything can help detect breast cancer earlier.
At Cisco, we are committed to showcase how the Internet of Everything (IoE) is a game changer for organisations, individuals, communities, and countries.
The potential it unlocks in garnering insights that can be acted on is extraordinary. From cultivating vineyards and restocking our refrigerators, to full visibility and control of our oil and gas pipelines, IoE’s relevance and application have been widely discussed.
IoE is already helping to unlock new possibilities for health care. A networked connection of people, process, data, and things is transforming healthcare through developments like electronic health records that are customised and secured for each user, giving patients more information about their own medical care.
In October, as we recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the World Health Organisation shares that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer, killing more than a half a million women globally in 2011.
Cases of breast cancer in men is a smaller percentage compared to women, but is a growing concern with the number of men choosing a double mastectomy doubling between 2004 to 2011.
The dominance of this cancer is seen in Malaysia as well, with it being the most common form of cancer affecting women. One in 19 females are likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer before they reach the age of 85 .
In 2014, 2,535 Malaysian mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, wives and girlfriends died in 2014 from breast cancer . These rates continue to increase, particularly in other developing countries where most cases are diagnosed in late stages.
Today the fight against breast cancer is centred on one strategy – early detection. Campaigns around the world that push for awareness of the disease encourage proactivity in looking for warning signs, a step that divides the lines we walk between life and death.
With the technology today, the key question that must be answered is how the IoE can equip us against this cruel disease.
We are now beginning to see examples of how IoE’s ability to provide us with data insights can help fundamentally change the way we diagnose and treat women with breast cancer.
One catalyst for this future is Rob Royea, a scientist and entrepreneur who is leading the charge to bring a new medical innovation called the iTBra from concept to market with the power of IoE.
The device – a normal bra embedded with IoE sensor technology – can detect tiny temperature changes in breast tissue.
These fluctuations may indicate the presence of breast cancer at an early stage, when it is easier to treat and potentially cure.
The iTBra works even in women with dense breast tissue, which can be difficult to detect with traditional x-ray techniques like mammography.
Cisco is helping fund a documentary about the iTBra called Detected. This upcoming indie-doc thriller will chronicle Rob’s journey to create the iTBra and shed important light on how IoE can be used to make a difference in people’s lives.
When people ask why IoE matters, there are many reasons we can offer. The most important reason is that we work to make IoE more than just a game changer. We believe IoE can be a life saver.
Albert Chai is the country manager for Cisco in Malaysia.
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