Start-up seeks women’s views to shape next-gen breast health tech

Dotplot and John Bell & Croyden are inviting women to attend breast health focus groups to help shape new technology.

The femtech startup is developing a handheld device designed to make breast self-checks more consistent, helping women better understand their bodies and feel more confident about acting when something changes.

The partnership aims to gather views from women of different ages and backgrounds on breast health technology, accessibility and the support they would find most useful.

Shefali Bohra, co-founder and chief executive of Dotplot, said: “For us, developing Dotplot has never just been about building new technology; it is about understanding what women genuinely need to feel more informed and confident about their breast health.”

Three small focus groups will take place at John Bell & Croyden on Wigmore Street, London, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Each 90-minute session will give participants an opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions and discuss how breast health services could better meet their needs.

According to Breast Cancer Now, one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Dotplot says previous research involving hundreds of women highlighted common questions about breast self-checking.

These included remembering how an area felt during a previous check, knowing whether the entire breast had been checked and describing what they were feeling to a doctor.

The company is developing its technology to provide greater guidance and consistency during self-checks.

The initiative forms part of John Bell & Croyden’s work exploring how emerging healthcare technologies could support health and wellbeing.

Alexander Johnston, general manager at John Bell & Croyden, said: “Women’s experiences and priorities should help shape the breast health technologies and services being developed for them.

“By working with Dotplot, we want to hear directly from women about what would be useful, what might make services easier to access and where they would welcome more support.”

Women from a range of ages and backgrounds are encouraged to register. No previous knowledge or experience of breast health technology is required.

Each participant will receive a £30 credit to spend at the John Bell & Croyden online store in recognition of their time.

Places are limited for the sessions on 28 and 29 October.

Women interested in taking part can register their interest by completing the short registration questionnaire provided by the organisers.