When we think of medical diagnosis for serious conditions like cancer, we often think of bulky machines and elaborate step-by-step procedures. Nothing simple. But what if wearing a piece of clothing is all you need to detect something like this? 19-year-old Julian Rios Cantú has invented a bra that is said to give warnings for breast cancer symptoms. The bra, which has been named EVA, uses thermal sensing and artificial intelligence to identify abnormal temperatures in the breast that is linked to tumor growth.

As of now, there are limited options for the detection of breast cancer. Three to be specific — an ultrasound, an MRI or a mammogram, all of which require a visit to a doctor. Dr. Kaszynski, who works at the company established by Cantu and his three friends — Higia Technologies, said, "We need to identify a real-world solution to diagnosing breast cancer earlier," said Dr. Kaszynski. "It’s always a trade-off when we’re talking about mammography because you have the radiation exposure, discomfort, and anxiety in regards to exposing yourself to a third-party."

The doctor also said that mammograms are not highly sensitive and hence can't detect tumors in dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue, which is more common in younger women and is present in 40 percent of women globally and 80 percent of Asian women, can mask the presence of tumors in the breast from mammograms. Additionally, yearly or bi-yearly mammograms also leave a time gap where cancers have time to grow unhindered, undetected.

En los últimos años se ha visto un gran uso de los wearables. Seguramente conoces aquellos que miden la frecuencia cardíaca, las calorías quemadas, el contenido de azúcar, etc. EVA es un dispositivo portátil, accesible y no invasivo para el análisis de riesgo de cáncer de mama. pic.twitter.com/ZCId9tA3zE — Eva Tech (@evathebra) January 15, 2019

This loophole, specifically, may have been what inspired Cantú to create this bra. According to TechCrunch, his mother's cancer wasn't detected on time. A two-time breast cancer survivor, his mother’s second diagnosis was originally missed. The standard screenings couldn't detect the cancer due to her high breast tissue density. As a result, she lost both of her breasts. Though she has since fully recovered, she has had to suffer a lot emotionally, mentally and physically. Deeply affected by the whole incident, Cantú wanted to ensure other women don't undergo the same agony.

He said, "At that moment I realized that if that was the case for a woman with private insurance and a prevention mindset, then for most women in developing countries, like Mexico where we’re from, the outcome could’ve not been a mastectomy but death."

En mis manos se encuentra el primer prototipo de The Auto-Exploration Bra de Higia Technologies #proud #GoHigiaTech pic.twitter.com/xQsQRJg6mC — Julian Rios Cantu. (@JulianRiosCantu) June 30, 2016

In the beginning, he spent a few months researching on cancer as much as he could. He also made sure he was updated on the latest diagnostic practices. Once he had this information, he went about conceptualizing the idea and inventing the bra. Post this, he filed the patent, gathered a few friends and created a company, and started working on the final product.

The EVA bra has sensors which collect thermal data from the surface of the breasts, which is then used to create thermal patterns. Tumors emit more heat as they have an elevated rate of cellular reproduction than the rest of the tissue. This will show up in the scan. Higia explains, "This causes a hot zone around the tumor that EVA analyzes to generate a risk evaluation through Artificial Intelligence algorithms. Our Artificial Intelligence algorithms, then, generate a risk evaluation in a matter of minutes."

All the user has to do is insert the thermal sensing cups (which come in three standard sizes ranging from A-D) into a sports bra. Then they need to open the associated EVA Health App, follow the instructions and wait for 60 minutes while the cup collects thermal data. EVA will send the data to the app via Bluetooth, which will give an evaluation of the user's breasts. If it detects an abnormality, EVA's app will provide the user with information on the next steps such as reaching out to professionals and additional tests.

As of now, EVA has undergone clinical trials in Mexico and has an 87.9 percent sensibility and 81.7 percent specificity from the device. The company had sold 5,000 devices in Mexico and plans to begin shipping the first several hundred by October of this year. Pre-orders have already begun on their official website. The final pricing for the device is still being decided.