Intimate revelations

On International Women's Day, Dr A Seema bagged the Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honour for women for developing a sensor-attached-brassiere to diagnose breast cancer in women.

Breast cancer has one of the highest rates of incidence in India. Sadly, the latest cancer statistics in India states that out of every two women who develop breast cancer, one dies. The disease is increasingly being detected in women in the age of 30-40 years and sometimes, even younger. The most prevalent method of screening is through a mammogram but doctors often advise the test only after the age of 50 due to the effects of radiation. To tackle these shortcomings, Seema, a scientist at C-MET (Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology), Thrissur invented this unique bra.

The device’s sensor will detect a higher body temperature if you have any abnormality in the breasts —Dr A. Seema, Scientist at C-MET.

“The Malabar Cancer Centre asked us to develop a suitable device or methodology which can be used in a community for breast cancer screening,” Seema said. MCC's request made Seema and her team brainstorm for a solution and find a suitable device.  So, how will a woman find out that she has been diagnosed breast cancer? “The device's sensor will detect a higher body temperature if you have any abnormality in the breasts,” she says adding that the undergarment is as good as a common bra and doesn't emit any radiation.

But the road to the final product was not without hindrance. For Seema, convincing people about the concept was a major challenge and till the time they went for clinical trials, many were reluctant to accept its authenticity.  Speaking about commercially producing the garment and its cost, the inventor reveals that it is already in the process.  “The bra will be very much affordable to the common people,” Dr added.

Prior to the Nari Shakti Puraskar, Seema had also won an award from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Rs 5 lakh for her contributions for the development of women through the use of science.