A Ph.D. student at the University of Bristol has invented a lightweight, skin-like patch that could one day make breast cancer detection easier, more affordable, and more accessible.
The patch, designed to measure tiny temperature changes across the breast, may help identify tumors earlier than traditional methods.
The idea was born from both personal and professional experiences.
While studying for her undergraduate degree in Syria, researcher Marah Alassaf was struck when two women she knew—both in their early thirties—were suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer.
Neither had been offered routine screening, as it is generally reserved for older women, and their diagnoses came at later stages of the disease.
“Seeing their experiences really challenged my understanding,” Alassaf explained. “It motivated me to explore how technology could support earlier detection, especially for women who might otherwise be overlooked.”
Building on her background in engineering, Alassaf pursued an MSc in Advanced Microelectronic Systems Engineering at Bristol, supported by a Think Big scholarship. She then began her Ph.D. at the UK Research & Innovation Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Health and Care, where she developed her ideas into practical devices.
With guidance from her supervisor, Dr. Faezeh Arab Hassani, Alassaf created a flexible, non-invasive patch fitted with nine temperature sensors.
The patch gently sticks to the skin and records temperature variations in real time. Cancer cells typically grow faster than healthy cells, increasing blood flow and metabolism in the affected area.
This activity generates a subtle rise in temperature that, when mapped across the breast, may reveal abnormalities.
“I designed and fabricated this patch from scratch so it would conform naturally to the body,” Alassaf said. “The goal is to broaden access to screening and offer a tool that could be used at home for people at higher risk.”
Although still in early testing, the patch has already attracted attention. In 2025, Alassaf presented her work at the IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems in Singapore, where it won second place in the Student Best Paper Award.
So far, the device has been tested on breast models designed to mimic tumors with controlled heat sources.
The next step will be clinical testing to see how well it identifies tumors in patients.
Traditional screening methods like mammography, ultrasound, and MRI remain the gold standard for breast cancer detection, but they can be expensive, uncomfortable, and inaccessible in many parts of the world.
According to the World Health Organization, 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer and 670,000 deaths were reported in 2022. Early detection is crucial to improving survival rates, which makes innovations like Alassaf’s patch especially valuable.
Experts agree that the new technology could complement existing tools rather than replace them. “Thermal imaging has long been used to detect abnormal heat patterns, but it usually requires specialized equipment,” said Dr. Hassani.
“This patch could be a more convenient, affordable alternative, especially in places where mammography is not available.”
Alassaf’s work has also drawn praise from Cancer Research UK, which highlighted its potential to save lives by catching cancers earlier. In addition to the patch, she is exploring other wearable devices, such as a glove with built-in sensors to support breast self-examination.
“This research is just the beginning,” Alassaf said. “Seeing my prototypes progress from an idea to real-world applications motivates me to keep refining and developing new tools to improve cancer detection.”
Professor Charlotte Deane, executive chair of UKRI EPSRC, emphasized the importance of supporting early career researchers like Alassaf. “This pioneering work shows how engineering and digital health can combine to improve cancer detection and, ultimately, people’s lives.”
If you care about cancer risk, please read studies that exercise may stop cancer in its tracks, and vitamin D can cut cancer death risk.
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