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“STUDY OF BREAST CANCER DETECTING BRA TECHNOLOGIES”
By: Nova Weng
University of California, Los Angeles
13 December 2016

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Abstract:
Breast cancer is one of the major leading causes of cancer deaths among women today.
Approximately 40,000 women in America die each year from the disease As a result, various 1
breast cancer detecting technologies such as mammograms and screening tests have been
developed by the scientific community to help diagnose early signs of the abnormal breast tissue.
However, if detected late and treated in progressed stages of the cancer, symptoms of early
menopause, hot flashes, infertility, lymphedema, weight gain, and changes in the cognitive
functions may also occur in the patient. Both Isono Health ® (sensor tracking) and Cyrcadia 2
Health ® (circadian pattern and heat tracking) have developed tools to help women track changes
in their own breast tissue via the use of ultrasound imaging and learning algorithm machines
attached to the devices. Utilizing convenient and user­friendly technologies to assist women in
diagnosing potential signs of breast cancer would greatly reduce late cancer diagnosis and
increase treatment options that would ultimately help save thousands of lives across the nation.
1
National Breast Cancer Foundation, About Breast Cancer (Texas: NBCF, 2016). http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast­cancer­facts
2
Susan G. Komen, Late Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment (Texas: Susan G. Komen, 2016).
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/LateEffects.html .

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The most common breast cancer detection methods include yearly breast magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and breast ultrasounds. Other techniques such as 3D mammograms
(breast tomosynthesis), molecular breast imaging, breast­specific gamma imaging (BSGI), and
positron emission mammography (PEM) have become more prevalent in the practice of early
detection. However, studies have suggested that tumor sizes can grow from 10mm to 20mm in 3
diameter in less than 1.2 months and accelerate yearly from then on. A test conducted by the
Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program (2008) showed that breast cancer growth can
increase by 26% at 5 mm to 91% at 10 mm, especially in regards to younger women. This 4
would suggest that yearly mammogram appointments are not sufficient enough to ensure early
treatment options and may require initial, individual screenings for more secure measures.
San Francisco company Isono Health (2015) produced a personalized device for women
to regularly keep track of breast tissue changes over a long period of time. Co­founders Maryam
Ziaei (PhD) and Shadi Saberi (PhD) designed this electronic, medical technology through a
smart bra which is paired with a machine learning algorithm and connected to an app for greater
convenience. First, the handheld scanner is placed onto one breast at a time, and is activated by
the iSono app (compatible for iOS and Android), which only takes 1 minute to scan using 3D
ultrasound technology. Data imaging is relayed to a professional radiologist to examine while
any changes from previous scans are recorded as feedback. Like a smartphone, the iSono scanner
can be charged every night and sends notifications for the next self­examination, or abnormal
3
Susan G. Komen, Emerging Areas in Early Detection (Texas: Susan G. Komen, 2016).
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/EmergingAreasinEarlyDetection.html
4
Harald Weedon­Fekjær, Breast Cancer Tumor Growth Estimated Through Mammography Screening Data (UK: BioMed Central Ltd, 2008).
https://breast­cancer­research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/bcr2092

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signaling. Similar to a MRI scan conducted at the hospital, the scanner uses a magnetic field and
radio waves to produce a safe, computerized visualization and evaluation of the body.
These sensor­t ype technologies are safe and simple for people to use. For instance, Dr.
Anoop Misra, director of the Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology
(2016) uses an example of sensor tech through a glucometer, which monitors insulin levels in the
body on an arm patch and allows her to see patterns of sugar levels for two weeks through her
cell phone. Dr. Misra says that the notification and graph images of insulin levels can help her
control her sugar doses in real time. Similarly, with iSono, women can regularly check their 5
breasts accurately and safely on a schedule basis. Although physical self breast examinations are
helpful as well, routinely checks are not often conducted and studies have shown that larger and
obvious “lumps” are less common than they were 25 years ago . Sensor tech does not need to 6
take in the account of the varying degrees of breast abnormalities on a subjective viewpoint. The
launch of Isono Health’s innovative tech bra device builds an affordable solution for women to
better understand their breast health, and has also been nominated as finalists in the 2015
Accenture Showcase in New York City for innovative technology.
Cyrcadia Health (2015) partnered with Flextronics, Nanyang Technological University,
Advanced Medical Systems, and Device Technologies to create the iTBra ™, an insert patch worn
under the bra which is also connected to the Internet. The iTBra ™ contains many thermistor
sensors that detects one’s circadian patterns on breast heat change over time. Founder Rob Royea
5
Sanchita Sharma and Joanna Lobo, Your Guide to Wearable Trackers that can Change Your Health and Life (New Dehli, India: HT Media
Limited, 2016)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/health­and­fitness/your­guide­to­wearable­trackers­that­can­change­your­health­and­life/story­9HtB2FJQ41gZv
kAWWpAl8L.html
6
Russell Harris and Linda S. Kinsinger, Routinely Teaching Breast Self Examination is Dead. What Does this Mean? (UK: Oxford University
Press, 2016). http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/19/1420.full

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says that, “the heat changes correlate to the accelerated cell activity associated with breast
tumors” (ABC, 2015). Detections are processed through an algorithm transmitter and 7
information is also relayed to the Cycadia Health core lab for further analysis. Any abnormal
circadian cellular change caused by a decline in PER1 and PER2 protein synthesis is due to the
emergence of breast tumor growth. The smart bra also reduces false mammographic detections
(50% false results for those with dense breast tissue) of breast cancer by 17%.
Unlike the quick, 1 minute scan from Isono Health’s smart bra, Cyrcadia Health’s
iTBra ™requires the wearer to keep the bra accessory on for a 12 hours to better monitor breast
health and accurately communicate any trends that occur in oscillation rhythms in the breast. It is
tested on over 200+ patients and found to have an 87% accuracy rate. In addition, the heat assists
in tracking breasts cancer symptoms in denser breasts tissues which occurs in approximately
40% of women, and is difficult to image in traditional mammograms. Those with dense breast
tissue, or DBT are 4­5 times more likely to develop breast cancer and over ¾ of those with DBT
breast cancer are missed in mammograms when other screening methods raises the rate of
detection to 97%. DBT can also change over time and are more common in older women. The
iTBra ™helps track these conditions and discern ‘white’ dense breast tissue. According to the
February issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, the risk of cancer recurrence
rises by 7% for women ages 65­74 and 29% for women 75+ years. 8
Research suggests that women with the earliest detection have more flexible options for
treatments. The iTBra ™was nominated as “Best New Wearable” at the Juice Gamechanger 2015
7
“About Cycadia Health”. YouTube Video , 4:18. Posted [July 17, 2016] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgUs8g0a0MA
8
BreastCancer.org, Women Older than 65 Have Worse Outcomes After Breast Cancer. (Pennsylvania: Breastcancer.org, 2012).
http://www.breastcancer.org/research­news/20120207

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Awards. With predictive analysis and clinically tested technology for over 200 patients, Cyrcadia
is demonstrated to be effective on both younger and older women, as well as track potential
cancerous tissue on localized zones via compressed profile imaging. For instance, at Ohio State
University, it is found that the iTBra ™ found circadian heat disruptions caused lowered levels of
PER1 and PER2 proteins which shows the earliest stages of cancer cell infusion and division,
whereas mammographic methods failed to detect these conditions. Its differential detection
system also signaled Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) alterations, which leads to the
prevention of blood vessel formation (neoangiogenesis) and aerobic glycolysis through
disruptions in heat localization seen in thermal dynamic technology. In 2016, Colombia
University in Palmira, Colombia recently developed a brassiere that utilizes a similar method to
detect potential breast cancer tissue using infrared sensors. A scan takes 3 minutes and three
small lights produce a diagnostic reading where green means health tissue, yellow requires
another reading, and red signals a physician’s analysis. Maria Cortes Arcila, a Colombia National
University student supports Dr. Royea’s conjecture that “if there’s a presence of foreign cells in
circulation and blood flow in the specific part where the invasive cells are found, the temperature
of the body increases” (2016). The prototype was tested on 189 women and seems to be a 9
combination of Isono’s quick scans and Cyrcadia Health’s usage of thermodynamic readings.
Both Isono Health and Cyrcadia Health are innovative medical tech companies that have
developed wearable alternatives to monthly breast screening and physical exams. Their products
would give life changing genomic and proteomic imaging to help women gain a nuanced
9
Katrina, Pascual, This New Bra Detects Breast Cancer Using Infrared Technology. (California: Tech Times, 2016).
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/142563/20160320/this­new­bra­detects­breast­cancer­using­infrared­technology.htm

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awareness of breast health that is cost efficient, non­radiative, and convenient. In a world that
shifts to an instant transmitted form of communication, these new intelligent models of breast
cancer detection cohort systems uses wireless gridding technologies to help reduce breast cancer
misdiagnosis and produce regular, personal check ins. Cyrcadia Health’s iTBra™ especially
assists older women and those with dense breast tissue to detect life threatening symptoms and
take control over their bodies. The key to help women seek treatment for a disease that affects
12% women in their lifetime is early prevention, and Cyrcadia Health makes this a feasible goal
to revolutionize medical technology across America.

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Works Cited
BreastCancer.org. “Women Older than 65 Have Worse Outcomes After Breast Cancer
Diagnosis”. BreastCancer.org. 2012.
http://www.breastcancer.org/research­news/20120207
Cycadia Health. “About Cyrcadia Health”. YouTube Video, 4:18. Posted [July 17, 2016]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgUs8g0a0MA
Harris, Russell and Kinsinger, Linda S. “Routinely Teaching Breast Self­Examination is Dead.
What Does this Mean?” JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Vol 94, issue 19.
(2016): pp 1420­142. http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/19/1420.full
Komen, Susan G. “Emerging Areas in Early Detection”. Susan G. Komen. 2016.
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/EmergingAreasinEarlyDetection.html
Komen, Susan G. “Late Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment”. Susan G. Komen . 2016.
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/LateEffects.html .
National Breast Cancer Foundation. “About Breast Cancer”. National Breast Cancer
Foundation, inc. 2016. http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast­cancer­facts
Pascual, Katrina. “This New Bra Detects Breast Cancer Using Infrared Technology”. TechTimes .
2016.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/142563/20160320/this­new­bra­detects­breast­cancer­
using­infrared­technology.htm
Sharma, Sanchita and Lobo, Joanna. “Your Guide to Wearable Trackers that can Change Your
Health and Life”. HindustanTimes. 2016.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/health­and­fitness/your­guide­to­wearable­trackers­that­
can­change­your­health­and­life/story­9HtB2FJQ41gZvkAWWpAl8L.html
Weedon­Fekjær, Harald. “Breast Cancer Tumor Growth Estimated Through Mammography
Screening Data”. BioMed Central. 2008.
https://breast­cancer­research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/bcr2092