Utilize earthquake engineering principles to develop a low-cost tool for early breast cancer screening. By analyzing vibrations and tissue stiffness, the team aims to provide affordable and accessible screening for New Zealand women, especially those outside the 45–69 age range eligible for free mammograms.
Innovative Low-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Inspired by Earthquake Engineering
Draw inspiration from earthquake engineering to create a cost-effective breast cancer screening device. Aimed at making screening more accessible, the tool offers an alternative to uncomfortable mammograms for the 3,000 diagnosed annually. Eligible women aged 45–69 receive free mammograms. Senior producer Katy Gosset explores the team's groundbreaking approach.
Patient Comfort - No Breast Compression
The technology does not involve breast compression and instead uses low-amplitude (2mm) vibrations applied to the breast. Screening time will reduce with further testing as well as increased ergonomic design to maximise patient comfort. One woman even fell asleep during the trial!
Innovative Breast Cancer Screening
PhD student Jessica Fitzjohn at the University of Canterbury is developing a groundbreaking, non-invasive breast cancer screening device. The portable tool offers an alternative to mammograms, addressing comfort concerns and aiming to increase screening rates, particularly for Maori women. Estimated cost: $30-$60 per screening.
Portable And Radiation-free
The machine is completely portable with no infrastructure requirement, meaning it could be used in a GP clinic, gym, marae, or utilised in pop-up screening initiatives to increase equity of access for women living rurally. Further, it is radiation-free, making it safe for women of all ages, increasing equity of age.