Now, a do-it-yourself device for breast cancer detection
July 31st, 2008 - 6:31 pm ICT by ANILondon , July 31 (ANI): Women in Scotland can now carry out breast cancer checks in the four walls of their house, thanks to a new device developed with the help of Scottish Government funding.
Called Breastlight, the device is manufactured by PWB Health, in Dumbarton, and requires the user to shine a bright red light through the breast to show up any changes, such as lumps which may be cancer.
Launched recently in the market, the device was developed using a grant of 165,000 pounds from the Smart: Scotland awards scheme.
However the benefits of the 79 pounds device are being questioned by cancer charities, which claim that women do not need complex equipment to be aware of changes in their breasts.
This hand-held device works by shining a strong, harmless light through the breast. The light passes through the tissue and reveals dark areas where blood is present, i.e. it lights up the veins.
In case there is a dark cluster, the developers say this is a potential abnormality that should be checked out by a doctor.
PWB Health indicated that Breastlight is not a replacement for a mammogram and encourages women to attend screening when invited.
Antonia Dean, of Breast Cancer Care, said the device could make people believe that lumps were the only signs of breast cancer.
“Currently, there is no proof or sufficient clinical evidence that the Breastlight product results in earlier detection of breast cancer, increases survival or is any more helpful than the normal practice of being breast aware,” she said. (ANI)
- Call for ban on lump-detecting Breastlight torch - Dec 18, 2009
- 12,000 walk in Dubai for breast cancer awareness - Oct 29, 2011
- Experts offer 10 tips for breast cancer screening and early detection - Oct 10, 2010
- Women born to older mothers may develop breast cancer - Feb 07, 2012
- Future docs may have to pass new breast exam test - Mar 25, 2011
- Ex Miss Venezuela's book on her breast cancer battle breaks taboos - Feb 22, 2011
- Decreased breast density over time means decreased breast cancer risk - Apr 21, 2010
- Awareness key to beating breast cancer, say experts (Feb 4 is World Cancer Day) - Feb 03, 2012
- Sheryl Crow opens breast cancer center - 'The Sheryl Crow Imaging Center' - Aug 27, 2010
- Women's breast riddled with metal by mistake - Mar 23, 2011
- New scanner device developed to detect breast cancer in seconds - Oct 29, 2010
- Soon, simple blood test to detect breast cancer - Apr 06, 2010
- Mammograms less effective in detecting cancer - Sep 24, 2010
- Dense boobs linked to breast cancer return - Oct 08, 2010
- Women with false-positive mammograms suffer serious anxiety - Jan 14, 2011
Tags: abnormality, antonia, awards scheme, breast cancer, breast cancer care, breast cancer detection, breast cancer increases, bright red light, cancer charities, clinical evidence, dark areas, dumbarton, four walls, government funding, harmless light, lumps, mammogram, scottish government, signs of breast cancer, veins
