A former Kingston University student is helping to revolutionise cancer treatment.

Shabnam Jamshidi, 36, is the co-creator of TrueInvivo, a system that helps target radiation therapy and reduces the amount of healthy cells destroyed during cancer treatment.

The product is a non-invasive implant that penetrates a patient’s skin, allowing for a more effective analysis of how a tumour is targeted.

Mrs Jamshidi set the company up with her friend Shakardokht Jafari, 37, this year after the pair watched those they were close to battling the disease.

Mrs Jamshidis, originally from Iran, studied for a masters degree in Architecture at Kingston University and helped with the design of TrueInvivo. 

She said: “As a designer I have a good knowledge of geometry which allows me to visualize the design ideas. 

"I also have years of experience working in a consulting engineers company and as a result I could contribute to the feasibility studies, time and cost estimation and technical documents

“We especially want to help those in poorer countries combat cancer so we needed to be selective with materials.

“It is nice to know that one day we will hopefully be able to make a difference in the world together.”

Mrs Shakardokht, her partner in the venture is originally from Afghanistan.

She watched her father die of cancer and pursued a PHD in medical physics at Surrey University with the hope of being able to help others going through the same trauma.

She said: “I wanted to find a way to help that would be accessible to patients even in very poor countries like Afghanistan.

“Radiotherapy is considered to be a highly effective, cutting edge treatment and yet it can cure less than 40% of cancer sufferers.

“I saw a need to improve the accuracy of the dosage and came up with a novel way of measuring it whilst the treatment is being delivered.

“Medical physicists can use this device to better assess the radiation treatment delivery and alter it as needed to get the best possible results.”

In November the couple won a place on the UK Trade and Investment Sirius Programme, which they hope will give them the contacts they need to distribute their invention internationally.

Mrs Shakardokht expressed her excitement about the future saying: “The programme has already helped me gain a visa to stay and continue working on the project in the UK.

“When you develop precision tools in the UK, people around the world trust in your work and believe the products will be effective.”