In a remarkable blend of necessity and innovation, a young inventor has designed a bra aimed at early breast cancer detection. Eighteen-year-old Marco Velasco, a student from Mexico, recently clinched the top award at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards for his invention, EVA, a smart bra equipped to identify potential signs of breast cancer.
Marco was inspired to create the bra after a deeply personal experience. “At 13, I faced the fear of losing my mother to breast cancer, as she was diagnosed for the second time,” he revealed in a promotional video. “Her tumor grew alarmingly fast, from the size of a grain of rice to that of a golf ball within six months. By the time we caught it, it was too late, and she lost both breasts and nearly her life.”
This heartbreaking situation ignited Marco’s idea for a life-saving device: a smart bra that could potentially detect cancer early. He and his friends established the company Higia when he was just 17, and they immediately began developing the concept for the smart bra.
The innovative EVA bra incorporates 200 biosensors to map the breast’s surface, monitoring its texture, temperature, and color. It is especially beneficial for women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, and users can access their health data through a mobile or desktop application. “We collect and analyze the data,” Marco explained in an interview. “When there’s a tumor, increased blood flow raises temperature and alters texture. Our sensors detect these changes and alert users, indicating areas that may need further examination.”
A promotional video highlights the alarming statistics surrounding breast cancer, noting that approximately 1.7 million women are diagnosed globally each year. In the U.S. alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that around 41,070 women will succumb to the disease this year. The higher mortality rates among African American women underline the urgent need for early detection methods.
Why a bra? Marco asserts, “It maintains breast positioning and only requires one hour of wear each week.” Although we’re eager to support this groundbreaking invention, it remains a prototype, with an estimated two-year timeline before it can be certified for use.
The name Higia is derived from the Greek goddess of health, a fitting tribute for a company dedicated to developing life-saving technology for women.
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Summary
Marco Velasco, a young innovator, created EVA, a smart bra designed for early breast cancer detection after nearly losing his mother to the disease. This bra, which utilizes biosensors to monitor breast health, represents a significant advancement in preventive care. With a clear need for improved detection methods highlighted by troubling statistics, Marco’s invention aims to empower women to take charge of their health.