Bras are expected to do a lot of things for the wearer–be supportive, give you some shape, look sexy, provide a source of income for Victoria’s Secret Angels. But now there’s one in the pipeline that could potentially save your life.

It sounds gimmicky, but it’s backed by some legit science. According to Medcity News (via Gizmodo), First Warning Systems has developed the first “ultrasonic breast cancer detection device” (that really needs a sexier name), which is basically a jerry-rigged sports bra that can tell you if any nasty cells are growing where they aren’t supposed to be.

Mammograms, the current gold standard for breast cancer detection, have limitations–false results, discomfort, and exposure to radiation are three of the biggies. They’re also not great for women under 40 who have denser breast tissue, making it harder for the mammo to pick up suspicious masses, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This bra uses sensors that can detect heat changes in breast tissue–a potential sign that there’s tumor activity–and then sends that info to a computer where it’s analyzed. Sound very Star Wars? Unlike those Necomimi brainwave-controlled cat ears, this technology is backed up by sound science. It’s already undergone three clinical trials, with a fourth planned, with some pretty amazing results: The device can detect cancer cells up to six years earlier than traditional diagnostic imaging. It sounds like it’ll hit Europe in 2013, and then hit the US in 2014 after FDA approval.

But it’s not like, say, a pregnancy test that you can just pick up for consumer use. It requires a “capital investment of less than $1,000″ (which is still like Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra territory) and will likely need a doctor’s prescription/monitoring. Can you imagine the freaking out with this device if it was left in the hands of consumers?

Anyway, it’s pretty exciting news during Breast Cancer Awareness month.