Team 15
Buddy: At-Home Breast Cancer Screening Device
Buddy: At-Home Breast Cancer Screening Device
Team Members: Chase Frailey, Arlette Geller, Isabella Germinario - SBHSE
Team Mentors: Dr. Sung-Min Sohn - SBHSE
Dr. Debora Varon - Sheppard Pratt Health System
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/3372163059
Abstract
Buddy is an early breast cancer detection device that aims to improve self breast screening methods. The Buddy team has developed a low cost instrument to replace the rather ineffective qualitative way for women to self screen, with a quantitative method for identifying abnormalities in breast tissue that could be indicative of growth of malignant cancerous masses. Current insurance policies only cover mammograms every two years for women over the age of forty, but 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The lack of regular breast cancer screenings has negatively impacted the mental health and peace of mind of many women, especially those who know breast cancer runs in their families or have objective genetic data which informs them that they are particularly at risk for developing breast cancer. This gap in healthcare is what Buddy seeks to fill. Aggressive forms of breast cancer can progress to stage four in just three months, and can manifest in women of all ages; the Buddy at-home device will allow women to screen themselves every day if so desired, with no detrimental side-effects for their health. Over the course of a year, the team behind The Buddy device were able to measure the tissue impedance of different breast tissue layers, integrating the scanning technology all into one portable device with reliable results, reducing false positives and negatives (often observed when using mammograms) at a price point that makes the device affordable for users.
