In a remarkable tale of innovation stemming from personal experience, eighteen-year-old Alejandro Torres from Mexico has designed a groundbreaking bra aimed at the early detection of breast cancer. His invention, called EVA, earned him the top honor at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) recently, showcasing the potential of young minds to address critical health issues.
Torres’s motivation to create EVA arose from a deeply personal ordeal—his mother’s battle with breast cancer. “When I was just 13, my mom was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer,” he shared in a promotional video for his creation. “In less than six months, her tumor grew from the size of a grain of rice to that of a golf ball. By the time we discovered it, it was too late, and my mother lost both her breasts and came close to losing her life.”
Faced with the painful reality of nearly losing his mother, Torres was driven to develop a solution: a smart bra that could detect cancerous changes. At just 17, he and a group of like-minded friends founded Higia, the company behind the innovative garment. They quickly began working on the design of this revolutionary bra.
The EVA bra incorporates 200 biosensors that meticulously map the breast’s surface, monitoring texture, color, and temperature. This cutting-edge technology is particularly beneficial for women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Users can connect to a mobile or desktop application to track their breast health.
As Torres explained in an interview with a local news outlet, “We collect all this data and store it. A tumor increases blood circulation and heat, causing noticeable changes in temperature and texture.” The sensors identify these shifts and alert users when abnormalities are detected. “Our system will notify you if there are significant changes in temperature in a specific quadrant, and if the changes are persistent, we will recommend a visit to the doctor,” he added.
Breast cancer presents a significant global health challenge, with approximately 1.7 million women diagnosed every year. According to the American Cancer Society, 41,070 women in the United States alone are expected to succumb to the disease this year. The statistics reveal a stark necessity for early detection methods, particularly since breast cancer affects different demographics in various ways.
One might wonder why a bra was chosen for this innovative approach. Torres emphasizes its practicality: “It keeps the breasts in their natural position and only needs to be worn for about an hour each week.”
Although the prototype is still in development, Torres estimates it will take around two years before the bra receives certification for use. He named his company Higia after the Greek goddess Hygiea, symbolizing health and cleanliness, a fitting tribute for a venture focused on life-saving innovations for women.
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To summarize, Alejandro Torres’s creation of the EVA bra is a testament to how personal experiences can lead to innovative solutions for pressing health issues. His work not only aims to save lives but also raises awareness about the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.