A Wearable Textile-Based Sensor for Breast Health Monitoring and Robust Tumor Discrimination Amidst Physiological Noise

Continuous monitoring is vital for the early detection of breast cancer, particularly in high-risk populations. This work presents a compact, fully textile, ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna integrated with a 3×3 electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) array, operating from 4.5 to 11 GHz, for real-time, wearable breast health assessment. The lightweight denim-based design maximizes comfort and enables integration into a bra without restricting daily activities. Sensor performance was evaluated under 21 healthy scenarios—including displacement within the bra cup, rotation, and tissue deformation induced by typical daily movements—combined with physiological variations such as menstrual cycle and perspiration to emulate realistic conditions. Furthermore, 68 tumor datasets were synthesized by randomly distributing tumors within breast tissue, following anatomical likelihoods characteristic of stages 0, I, and II. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations were conducted in CST Microwave Studio, and two fabricated prototypes were experimentally validated using a breast phantom. Analysis of S21parameters yielded five statistical features, with one-way ANOVA identifying area difference as the most robust discriminator between tumorous and non-tumorous (physiological noise) conditions. Skewed Gaussian modeling, time-domain correlation analysis, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) evaluation confirmed robust discrimination for Stage I–II tumors, achieving the highest classification confidence for stage II. However, detection of Stage 0 tumors requires further algorithm development. The dual-sensor configuration complied with IEC/FCC SAR limits (1.6–2 W/kg), supporting its safety for prolonged use. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system as a safe, comfortable, and effective solution for continuous daily breast health monitoring.