New Breast Cancer Detection Technology Being Developed in South Africa

South African researchers, supported by the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship, are developing a Trop2-targeted theranostic platform, a technology that identifies cancer cells precisely and delivers treatment directly to them, minimising damage to healthy tissue. The platform uses specially engineered nanobodies combined with isotopes to detect and treat breast cancer accurately.

The innovation responds directly to the crisis of late diagnosis. Comprehensive hospital data shows 67 percent of public-sector breast cancer patients present with advanced disease, when treatment options are limited and survival rates fall sharply. Cancer incidence is projected to double by 2030, making earlier, more accurate detection an urgent national priority.

If successfully developed and deployed, this technology could provide precise diagnosis and targeted treatment without requiring expensive infrastructure, potentially bringing world-class cancer care closer to communities that currently have the least access.

What you need to know

• This technology is currently in the research and development phase.
• It is designed to work in resource-limited settings.
• It combines diagnosis and treatment in one platform known as theranostics.

What you can do

Technology takes time to become available. In the meantime, early detection remains your best protection. Know what is normal for your body, report changes promptly, and attend screening when available.