Bra Wars: Underwear joins the fight against breast cancer

US – Women typically wear bras to conform to social norms, but they might soon be the next weapon against breast cancer.

Reno-based First Warning Systems has created a bra designed to detect the growth of cancerous breast cells.

The non-invasive breast tissue-screening bra is fitted with small integrated sensors which track the temperature of the breasts of its wearer. These sensors are connected to a controller which number crunches the data to detect possible tissue abnormality and the early growth of cancerous cells.

Three major clinical trials claim the First Warning Systems bra is more accurate than mammograms – the bra has an accuracy of 90% compared with 70% for mammograms. The bra is also capable of detecting cancerous growth years before conventional methods. The bra is waiting for approval for use in the US and could be available in Europe as early as 2013.

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