The high number of breast cancer cases in Indonesia presents a\nserious challenge to the healthcare sector. According to 2022 GLOBOCAN\ndata, there were 66,271 new cases with a mortality rate reaching 22,598\nlives. Responding to this urgency, a group of students from Universitas\nGadjah Mada (UGM) has introduced a technological breakthrough through\nBREIT (Breast Cancer Integrated Theranostics). This smart electronic\ndevice is designed to map the characteristics of breast tissue while\nexploring the potential of supporting therapies based on the latest\ndigital technology.<\/p>\n
Developed through the 2026 Student Creativity Program-Karsa Cipta\n(PKM-KC), BREIT is the result of cross-disciplinary collaboration. The\nteam consists of Alfito Putra, Muhammad Nafal, Bryan Alvinnov, and\nMuhammad Zufar from the Faculty of Engineering, alongside Mirza Evrizqo\nTimmerman from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing\n(FK-KMK). Under the guidance of Ir. Ridwan Wicaksono, S.T., M.Eng.,\nPh.D., they have combined expertise in hardware, electronics, artificial\nintelligence (AI), and health sciences.<\/p>\n
The core of the BREIT innovation lies in the use of Electrical\nImpedance Tomography (EIT). Unlike conventional methods such as X-rays,\nwhich use ionising radiation, EIT works by reading the electrical\ncharacteristics of body tissue. The system delivers very low-intensity\nelectrical stimulation through the skin\u2019s surface and then captures the\nresponse generated by the underlying tissue.<\/p>\n
\u201cSimply put, EIT allows us to create a sort of map of the electrical\ncharacteristics of the tissue. Thus, data that initially exists as\nelectrical signals can be reconstructed into an image of impedance\ndistribution,\u201d explained Mirza Evrizqo Timmerman. The difference in\nimpedance between healthy tissue and potentially cancerous tissue serves\nas the basis for this mapping.<\/p>\n
To increase accuracy, the team has integrated AI into the data\nprocessing. AI plays a role in reconstructing images from raw electrical\nsignals into visualisations of tissue distribution that are easier for\nmedical professionals to analyse. Alfito Putra emphasised that the\nintegration of hardware, AI, and web systems is the key to ensuring the\nproject operates holistically.<\/p>\n
In addition to its mapping function, BREIT is also equipped with a\nwearable vest component designed to explore Electro-Capacitive Cancer\nTherapy (ECCT). This approach utilises electric fields through a\nwearable device to investigate its potential as a supporting cancer\ntherapy.<\/p>\n
However, the team provided an important note regarding this feature.\n\u201cECCT in BREIT is not yet positioned as a ready-to-use cancer therapy.\nWe are still in the development and testing phase to see whether the\nconcept can provide a measurable biological effect,\u201d Mirza stated. This\ndemonstrates the team\u2019s commitment to scientific principles and patient\nsafety.<\/p>\n
As a healthcare innovation, BREIT is currently still a prototype\nundergoing continuous refinement. The team recognises that the journey\ntowards clinical implementation is long and requires rigorous\nvalidation. The team emphasises that BREIT is not designed to replace\nexisting standard diagnostic methods in hospitals. Instead, BREIT\u2019s\nposition is as a supporting technology whose capabilities are currently\nbeing evaluated. Moving forward, broader data collection will be\nconducted to ensure this technology has a strong scientific foundation\nbefore proceeding to wider utilisation.<\/p>\n
The BREIT innovation serves as tangible proof of how cross-faculty\ncollaboration at UGM can respond to national health issues with digital\ntechnology-based solutions. With the integration of wearable devices and\nAI, BREIT is expected to become part of the future health technology\necosystem in Indonesia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ugm-students-develop-breit-for-breast-cancer-detection-1789037833", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }