TED Health Interview: Could we detect breast cancer with a fingerprint? with Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa
Oct 21, 2025
Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of the Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction, joins chemist Simona Francese, known for her TEDx talk on fingerprint analysis. They discuss Francese's innovative research revealing that fingerprints may contain biomarkers for breast cancer, offering a non-invasive alternative to mammograms. Dr. Srinivasa emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and addresses the emotional journey of reconstruction, advocating for patients' choices and the crucial role of support in recovery.
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Fingerprints Are Molecular Maps
- Fingerprints carry molecular information, not just ridge patterns, because sweat deposits proteins and metabolites from the body onto surfaces.
- Simona Francese's team uses MALDI mass spectrometry to create molecular images of fingerprints and read biological signals.
Barriers Limit Mammogram Uptake
- Mammography uptake suffers from access barriers, cultural modesty concerns, pain, and fear of radiation, reducing screening rates.
- Noninvasive, painless alternatives could increase compliance and catch cancers earlier in underserved groups.
Fingerprints Can Reveal Disease Biomarkers
- Protein profiles from fingertip smears differ between individuals and sexes and can reveal biomarkers linked to disease.
- Simona found known breast cancer protein biomarkers in fingerprints and trained ML to classify cancer stages with high accuracy.