Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In India, it accounts for 28% of all female cancers. Late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment are major challenges, leading to lower survival rates. While mammography remains the gold standard screening technique, it has limitations – the test does not detect all cancers, is not effective in dense breast tissue and there are also concerns around radiation exposure. The medical facility is also not readily available everywhere due to factors like limited resources, infrastructure constraints and cost.
Mumbai-based UE LifeSciences has come up with iBreastExam – a palm-sized, non-invasive hand-held device that is making early detection of breast cancer a quick and hassle-free affair. Its key disruptive features: it is ultra-portable, painless and radiation-free, requires minimal training to operate, works offline and offers instant results with high efficacy. Mammograms in most cities come to over Rs 4,000, whereas an iBreastExam test can be anywhere between Rs 100-350.
“With over 1.2 million women screened, iBreastExam is significantly impacting equitable access to vital early detection, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, and is paving the way for a future where early detection is accessible to all,” Gauri Navalkar Godse, director and CEO, India, UE LifeSciences, told FE. This portable, battery-powered device empowers community healthcare workers to conduct point-of-care screenings, even in underserved areas, providing immediate results and improving patient compliance, she added.
The iBreastExam uses Dynamic Co-Planar Capacitive sensors to electronically palpate the breast and evaluate tissue elasticity. By making capacitive measurements and quantifying variations in tissue stiffness, the device detects potential abnormalities. Its proprietary tactile sensing technology and AI-powered guidance ensure accurate and repeatable results. The results are captured in real-time on a mobile app, providing immediate, point-of-care feedback.
According to Godse, the device pairs with a tablet via Bluetooth, followed by brief air and tissue calibrations. The user then gently scans the breast in small quadrants, guided by the app, with the entire process taking approximately eight minutes for both breasts. Crucially, the scanner is designed for use by frontline healthcare workers after minimal training, eliminating the need for specialised expertise or data interpretation.
iBreastExam has achieved significant acceptance both in India and globally, reaching women across diverse markets including Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar), South Asia (India, Nepal), Latin America (Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador), and Africa (Egypt, South Africa). In India, the device has been deployed through impactful collaborations, including reaching over 110,000 women through the Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa Project in partnership with the government of Goa, and a successful partnership with Hinduja Hospital to screen Mumbai policewomen.
“The iBreastExam is an excellent, radiation-free point-of-care tool for community-based breast cancer screening. Its quick scan time and immediate results streamline the screening process, making it efficient and hassle-free, and allowing for seamless implementation in outreach programes,” said Lokesh KN, a well-known oncologist in Bengaluru. “We recently used the iBreastExam during a screening camp and found it to be highly effective in detecting abnormalities easily. Its probability and ease of use make it a valuable asset for large-scale screenings, ensuring early detection and improved healthcare access for communities,” he highlighted.
UE LifeSciences recently partnered with the Shri Basanagouda Malipatil Ukkinal Charitable Trust and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals to conduct a triple cancer screening camp in Karnataka, screening over 300 patients for breast, cervical, and oral cancers. “These projects highlight iBreastExam’s effectiveness in reaching diverse populations and its potential to transform cancer care in resource-limited settings,” Godse said.
Looking ahead, UE LifeSciences is launching a ‘Think Pink’ campaign, an urban-private market programme aimed at reaching 100 million women in the top 100 cities in emerging markets, offering cost-effective iBreastExam screenings. Beyond India, it is targeting strategic expansion into high-income markets like the United States and Europe. The company is also developing solutions for the early detection of oral and cervical cancers, creating a community health worker-led programmme for the early detection and management of three prevalent types of cancer.