In 2007 Dr. Elias Siores from the University of Bolton used the bra to screen some 650 research study participants in a series of clinical trials. The completion of one more clinical trial will be required before it can be on the market. Most women have a mammogram to detect breast cancer, but even then lumps must progress to a certain size before they can be detected. With this bra breast cancer can be detected as early as six years before other types of imaging tests could recognize it.
The technology of the bra is based on thermography. Research reveals that tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis or the development of new blood vessels. More blood flow results in temperature changes in the tissue, which can be detected through the bra. The bra can pick up any breast tissue abnormality (BTA), whether it is cancerous or not. For clinicians the device can make breast cancer screenings and procedures a lot more efficient and at times less invasive. The technology is user friendly. Changes in temperature can be read through a smartphone or computer, and will indicate to the wearer whether or not to contact their physician. Upon the success of the current clinical trial expect the bra to be in the market in Europe sometime next year, and depending on FDA approval in the US in 2014.