IIT Indore Develops Affordable Breast Cancer Detection Device

The device utilizes the PASR technology, which combines optical and acoustic signals to detect abnormal changes in tissue, making it highly effective for identifying early-stage breast cancer.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has developed a compact, cost-effective device aimed at the early detection of breast cancer, particularly for women in rural and remote areas. 

This diagnostic tool, created by Prof Srivathsan Vasudevan from the Department of Electrical Engineering, promises to make breast cancer screenings accessible at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

The device utilizes Photoacoustic Spectral Response (PASR) technology, which combines optical and acoustic signals to detect abnormal changes in tissue, making it highly effective for identifying early-stage breast cancer.

Affordable Solution for Early Detection

According to an institute official, the cost of screening is expected to be around one-tenth of the price of traditional methods such as MRI or CT scans, once the device is commercially produced. 

“It is incredibly affordable, reducing the cost to approximately one-tenth of the price of traditional diagnostic methods,” the official stated.

Prof Vasudevan explained that the core of the device's functionality lies in its ability to differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. It works by emitting light using a compact pulsed laser diode (PLD), which interacts with the breast tissue. 

The acoustic response is then analyzed to determine whether the tissue is benign, malignant, or normal. This method eliminates the need for costly and complex diagnostic tools.

Boosting Cancer Screening Accessibility

The director of IIT Indore, Suhas Joshi, emphasized the importance of developing affordable, indigenous healthcare solutions for India, where imported diagnostic equipment such as MRI and CT scanners are expensive and inaccessible to much of the population. 

He said, "By developing a cost-effective and indigenous cancer screening device, IIT Indore is addressing a critical need in the healthcare system. The device has the potential to significantly improve cancer detection in rural and underserved areas, where early diagnosis can make a life-saving difference.”

The affordability and portability of the device are particularly beneficial in rural healthcare settings, where access to advanced diagnostic facilities is often limited. 

Early detection of breast cancer significantly increases survival rates, and this tool is expected to contribute towards that goal by reaching women who may not have the means or access to traditional screening methods.

Reducing the Burden of Expensive Diagnostics

Current diagnostic tools, which include MRI and CT scanners, are not only expensive but are often imported, further increasing their cost. The device developed by IIT Indore is expected to make early detection more accessible and affordable. 

"This cost-effective screening tool is designed to reduce the need for expensive diagnostic methods and is particularly useful for breast cancer screening, as it can differentiate between malignant tumors, fibrocystic changes, and normal breast tissue," Prof Vasudevan added.

The next step for IIT Indore is to ensure the device is made commercially available so that it can be deployed in healthcare settings across rural India. 

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