This temperature-sensing patch can be used for early detection of breast cancer

A breakthrough from the University of Bristol could change how we spot breast cancer early — and it fits in the palm of your hand. Ph.D. student Marah Alassaf has developed a thin, flexible patch that detects subtle temperature shifts across breast tissue, a telltale sign of possible abnormalities. "What started as a research idea evolved into a determination to develop practical, non-invasive wearable solutions for earlier cancer detection," she explains.

Her mission is personal. During her undergraduate studies in Syria, two women she knew — both in their early thirties — were diagnosed late with breast cancer. "They seemed healthy and active," she recalls. "But because routine screening isn't usually offered to younger women and alternative options were limited, their cancers were diagnosed at a later stage." That experience sparked a career-long pursuit: find ways to detect cancer earlier and make screening more accessible.

How does it work?

Think of it as a skin-like map that quietly tracks the tiniest changes in temperature.

• The design: Ultra-thin, flexible patch with nine sensors that conform naturally to the breast.
• The science: Cancer cells tend to grow fast, upping blood flow and metabolism in the area. That raises temperature — a small but detectable signal.
• The process: The patch gently adheres to the skin, reads real-time temperature variations, and produces a visual heat map.

"We're aiming for something that's not just effective but also comfortable and easy to use — potentially even at home," says Alassaf. The team has already tested it on models with simulated tumors and plans to evaluate it on real cases next.

Why does it matter?

Breast cancer is the world's most common cancer among women, claiming 670,000 lives in 2022 alone. The earlier it's found, the better the odds. But here's the rub: traditional screening — mammography, MRI, ultrasound — can be expensive, uncomfortable, and inaccessible for many women, especially in low-resource areas.

This patch offers a low-cost, non-invasive alternative that could complement mammograms rather than replace them. As study co-author Dr. Faezeh Arab Hassani points out, "Thermal imaging has long been used to detect abnormal heat patterns, but it typically requires specialized cameras and clinical environments. This is a convenient, non-invasive innovation."

It could also enable at-home monitoring for those at higher risk, reducing the need for repeated clinical visits and helping to catch problems before they escalate.

The context

This innovation arrives as researchers and health organizations intensify their focus on early detection. "Finding new and better ways to detect cases earlier is key in our mission to beat cancer," says Dr. Iain Foulkes of Cancer Research UK.

Alassaf's work reflects a broader trend in digital health: developing practical, scalable solutions that meet people where they are. She's already designing other wearables, like a sensor-equipped glove to support breast self-exams. And with support from the UKRI EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training, she's turning prototypes into real-world tools.

Professor Charlotte Deane of EPSRC sums it up: "This pioneering work shows how engineering and digital health can combine to improve cancer detection and, ultimately, people's lives."