Fantastic Innovation in Breast Cancer Detection
Low cost technologies aimed at empowering millions of people in developing countries fuels me up. One of my constant endeavors is to discover exclusive research and products that hold potential to uplift standards of living for people in India and other developing countries.
Reading through Leveraging affordable innovation to tackle India’s healthcare challenge report, I found that 10% of all Cancers in India accounts for breast cancer, which is projected to grow 30% over next 2–3 years. Which is really Sad. The report cites the following
Cancer cases in India are expected to jump from around 14 lakh in 2016 to more than 17.3 lakh by 2020. Deaths due to cancer are projected to go up from 7.36 lakh to over 8.8 lakh in the next four years, according to the cancer registry released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Breast, lung and cervical cancer top the list of new cancer cases, the data show. Over 1.5 lakh new breast cancer cases were estimated during 2016, which is more than 10% of total cases. Cancer of the lungs is second with estimated 1.14 lakh new cases during 2016. Cancer of the cervix is the third most common cancer with estimated 1 lakh new cases in 2016. The incidence of breast cancer is projected to go up to 1.9 lakh by 2020.
While the number of actual cases might look small in proportion to the population, it is the possibility elimination test costs that impose great monetary loss to the country. Assuming 33% of Indians are females above 18 that would be ~400M women. If 25% were recommended a test each year that would be ~100M tests a year. Assuming the cost of current test is about $20–30, it would amount to $2B–$3B spend on just the tests a year.
What-if testing cost could come down by 90%?
Good news is that there are some technology startups actively working to address the problem. Of three companies specified in the report, I think UE Lifesciences has built something that fits Indian needs well. A low cost handheld device (pic. below) that detects breast cancer within 5–6 minutes on-the-spot with minimal training at fraction of the current cost. Bingo! Do not underestimate the power of human distribution model that’s unique to India.
At Eko, I had a great opportunity to work with on one of the most ambitious projects implementing Mobile Money Transfer for ASHA workers in Bihar that led me to travel extensively within the state and work with the health system, several retired doctors and UN very closely. That experience taught me a great deal about the needs of women in India. I believe that women in non-urban areas are the most neglected segment from innovation industry standpoint. Anyway!
UE Lifesciences has published two interesting Case Studies too. Worth reading
I wish I could do something to support this wonderful company. This blog is an attempt to spread the word in my own small community to support these brilliant founders.
If you’re reading this blog and know of any low-cost innovation targeting India looking for support of any kind, please share it with me. I’ll be hugely thankful to you.
