In a remarkable blend of necessity and innovation, 18-year-old Mateo Vargas from Mexico has developed a groundbreaking smart bra designed to detect breast cancer early. This life-saving invention, named EVA, emerged from Mateo’s personal experience almost losing his mother to the disease.
“When I was 13, my mom faced her second battle with breast cancer,” explained Vargas in a video detailing his journey. “The tumor grew alarmingly fast, from the size of a grain of rice to that of a golf ball in under six months. Unfortunately, the diagnosis came too late, and my mom lost both her breasts and nearly her life.”
Inspired by this harrowing experience, Vargas collaborated with friends to establish a company called Higia at just 17 years old. The goal? To create a bra that could save lives.
The Innovative EVA Bra
The innovative EVA bra is equipped with 200 biosensors that track the breast’s surface, monitoring changes in temperature, texture, and color. It’s specifically designed for women with a genetic risk for breast cancer. Users can access a mobile or desktop app to analyze their data.
Vargas explained, “The sensors detect increased blood flow and heat, which may indicate the presence of a tumor. If we identify significant temperature changes, we advise users to consult a doctor.” This proactive approach is crucial, especially considering that approximately 1.7 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide each year.
With the American Cancer Society estimating that around 41,070 women will succumb to breast cancer in the U.S. this year alone, the need for early detection has never been more urgent. Vargas chose a bra for its practicality, stating, “It keeps the breasts in place and only needs to be worn for about an hour each week.”
While we’d love to snag one of these bras right now, it’s still in prototype stage, and Vargas predicts it will take about two years for certification. Fun fact: the name Higia is derived from the Greek goddess Hygiea, associated with health—quite fitting for a company aiming to empower women through life-saving technology.
Further Reading
For more insights on related topics, check out this blog post on home insemination kits and fertility boosters from Make A Mom. You can also explore CDC resources for valuable information on pregnancy.
Conclusion
In summary, Mateo Vargas’s innovative EVA bra exemplifies how personal experiences can spark transformative solutions in healthcare. With its potential to detect breast cancer early, this invention not only honors his mother’s struggle but could also save countless lives.