A team of interdisciplinary final-year students from the University of Melbourne is working on a device that could one day transform how breast density is assessed, offering women a comfortable and accessible pre-screening option to inform their need for traditional mammograms.
Master of Biomedical Engineering students Luke Gennaccaro, Mathew Huang and Jack Christie joined forces with Master of Business Administration students Karen Parr, Simon Holmberg and Alex Potenza to develop ‘DenSight’ – a wearable device designed to measure breast density, a critical factor in assessing breast cancer risk.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia, with one in seven women likely to face a diagnosis in their lifetime. Despite its significance, breast density – a key predictor of breast cancer risk – is often overlooked.
Women with dense breast tissue not only face a higher risk of developing cancer, but also encounter challenges in early detection, as dense tissue can obscure abnormalities on mammograms. In fact, approximately 50 per cent of women have dense breast tissue. Classified as either ‘heterogeneously dense’ or ‘extremely dense’, this increases their risk of breast cancer by two to six times.
Presently, breast density is assessed exclusively through mammograms, which many women find uncomfortable or even painful. This discomfort, combined with a lack of awareness – seven in eight women are unaware of the link between breast density and cancer risk – limits the effectiveness of current screening methods.
The DenSight device aims to provide a non-invasive, radiation-free way to measure breast density, helping doctors and women understand this important factor in breast health. Early prototypes have successfully distinguished between varying densities, using silicon moulds that mimic breast tissue.
“With DenSight, we aim to empower women with better information about their health, allowing them to make more informed decisions about cancer screening,” Luke Gennaccaro said.
“While the device doesn’t diagnose cancer, it provides a clearer understanding of breast density, which can help women and doctors tailor screening options more effectively.”
The BreastScreen Australia program recommends that women between the ages of 50 and 74 receive a mammogram every two years. Women aged 40–49 and over 75 can also be screened, but they won't receive an invitation letter. However, younger women with higher risk factors may need to have them at any age.
The concept for DenSight emerged from surveys conducted by the team to understand gaps in breast health management.
“We identified strong demand for this technology, particularly in under-served markets where mammograms are less accessible, such as in rural communities,” Karen Parr said.
The students undertook this project as part of their BioDesign Innovation capstone subject, which brings together students from engineering and business to design and develop MedTech innovations.
The collaborative environment enabled the team to conceptualise and prototype DenSight within a few months.
The project is still in its early stages, but the team plans to develop a more advanced prototype within six months and to begin safety trials within a year. Legal and intellectual property considerations are already under way, paving the path for eventual commercialisation.
“We envision DenSight becoming a standard part of breast health management,” Luke said.
“Women could use it during routine GP visits or at pathology clinics, improving accessibility and potentially enhancing early detection rates.”
If successful, DenSight could alleviate the discomfort of traditional mammograms for some women, reduce the burden on healthcare systems by assisting early screening of those most at risk, and empower women with more control over their health.
The device’s potential was recognised at the University’s Endeavour Exhibition, where the team won the prestigious Telstra Tech Breakthrough and Community Impact Award.
