Breast cancer remains the highest rate of mortality in South African women and those living in rural areas face multiple barriers in screening. Kathryn Malherbe, CEO and founder of Medsol, is working on the development of deep machine learning (DML) and artificial intelligence (AI) software that addresses this issue. The software is specifically designed for breast cancer identification and segmentation for breast ultrasound in the diagnostic imaging sector.
Medsol Breast AI is an online patient-based platform that receives images for ultrasound units in practice. The images are then fed into a unique system that identifies any abnormal breast cancer masses. This high tech system speaks to both the specialist physician and the patient to provide diagnostic solutions, education and support for their journey.
“Our software is mobile and hands free, and is ideal for rural based institutions wanting to improve their diagnostic output,” said Malherbe. “Women living in rural areas experience higher false-positive cancer rates on diagnostic mammography. They also have lower screening mammography uptake and more advanced stage cancer at diagnosis.”
Having worked in clinical practice for the past 15 years, Malherbe was inspired to understand why breast cancers are often missed during ultrasound imaging. She is currrently completing her PhD in clinical anatomy at the University of Pretoria, where she also serves as a lecturer.
“We employ breast cancer survivors as ambassadors to promote breast education,” she said, “which boosts the local economy by creating jobs and also helps to break the stigma associated with this disease. Since starting our ambassador campaign in 2020, we have employed some 25 women countrywide, and have educated and supported more than 122 000 women on our online platform. We are now looking to expand to Tanzania, Zambia and Namibia.
“We want to make AI available to everyone from all walks of life, not just for patients from private hospitals. There are so many women who face the diagnosis of breast cancer too late, and we want to narrow the gap and allow all women fair and early treatment. Many clinics don’t have the right facilities that are needed, and having biopsies done can take up to six months for patients to get the answers they need, delaying their standard care.”
Malherbe, who had entered the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards and was placed third earlier this year, was granted funding support and provided with the support and skills she needed to develop her business, she said.
“I believe that our innovation can make a real change to the high mortality rate currently associated with breast cancer in South Africa,” she added.
Many establishments have found it extremely challenging to operate during recent times, having to find unique ways to operate and generate an income during the pandemic. “Our business has thrived due to the restrictions around one-on-one person contact, and the need for innovative online software solutions is now in high demand.”
The SAB Foundation was founded in 2010, and provides funding for small, medium and micro-sized enterprises to contribute to the economic and social empowerment of historically disadvantaged persons through entrepreneurship development. Primary beneficiaries are women, youth, people living with disabilities and people living in rural areas, from low-income backgrounds. More than R339 million to date has been invested in social innovation, disability empowerment and SMMEs.
Issued by the SAB Foundation