Breast cancer is quite common among women in India. According to the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, breast and cervical cancers accounted for 39.4% of all cancer diagnoses in 2020. Canscan, a gadget for early cancer screening developed by Kozhnosys, a Pune-based business, has the potential to save lives by enabling prompt intervention.

“We analyse a few compounds called volatile organic compounds, which are produced normally by the cells in the body as a part of metabolism. These volatile compounds are present in blood and urine as well but we use Canscan to collect these using exhaled breath. The device will then find out if a disease is present in the body,” says Jilma Peruvangat, co-founder and CEO of Kozhnosys.

Kozhnosys has created a Canscan prototype for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Clinical studies will begin at Pune's Sahyadri Hospital, followed by trials across the country. Canscan, a portable gadget, will be accessible for rural illness screening after six years of development and clinical validation.

In India, mammography is limited to major cities. “But, breast cancer is not limited to cities. Currently, cases of breast cancer are equally spread across cities and rural areas. We will be able to offer our device at one-tenth the cost of a mammography device. This will enable more hospitals, including small ones, to buy a device and keep it at their centre,” says Peruvangat.