Pink Ribbons and the Internet of Everything

 Cisco, is committed to showcase how the Internet of Everything (IoE) is a game changer for organisations, individuals, communities, and countries. The potential it unlocks in garnering insights that can be actioned on is extraordinary. From cultivating vineyards and restocking our refrigerators, to full visibility and control of our oil and gas pipelines, IoE’s relevance and application have been widely discussed.

IoE is already helping to unlock new possibilities for health care. A networked connection of people, process, data, and things is transforming healthcare through developments like electronic health records that are customised and secured for each user, giving patients more information about their own medical care.

In October, as we recognise  Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the World Health Organisation shares that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer, killing more than a half million women globally in 2011. Cases of breast cancer in men is a smaller percentage compared to women, but is a growing concern with the number of men choosing a double mastectomy doubling between 2004 - 2011.

Multiple sources highlight the Philippines as one of the countries with the highest incidence of breast cancer, with an estimated 5 out of 100 women developing breast cancer before the age of 75, and an average recorded rate of 12,262 new cases every year

Today the fight against breast cancer is centred on one strategy – early detection, which is said to raise the survival rates among diagnosed individuals by up to 90%. Campaigns around the world that push for awareness of the disease encourage proactivity in looking for warning signs, a step that divides the lines we walk between life and death.

With the technology today, the key question that must be answered is how the IoE can equip us against this cruel disease. We are now beginning to see examples of how IoE’s ability to provide us with data insights can help fundamentally change the way we diagnose and treat women with breast cancer. One catalyst for this future is Rob Royea, a scientist and entrepreneur who is leading the charge to bring a new medical innovation called the iTBra from concept to market with the power of IoE.

The device – a normal bra embedded with IoE sensor technology – can detect tiny temperature changes in breast tissue. These fluctuations may indicate the presence of breast cancer at an early stage, when it is easier to treat and potentially cure. The iTBra works even in women with dense breast tissue, which can be difficult to detect with traditional x-ray techniques like mammography.

Cisco is helping fund a documentary about the iTBra called DETECTED. This upcoming indie-doc thriller will chronicle Rob’s journey to create the iTBra and shed important light on how IoE can be used to make a difference in people’s lives.

When people ask why IoE matters, there are many reasons we can offer. The most important reason is that we work to make IoE more than just a game changer. We believe IoE can be a life saver.