The prototype of a new machine that can detect tumors in women with dense breast tissue has been developed by researchers from UCL, Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University, in collaboration with the international technology group Kromeek.
All breasts are composed of fat (fat) and fibroglandular (closed) tissue. Up to 40% of women have dense breasts that contain a large part of the fibroglandular tissue.
Dense breasts are a problem for mammogram tests, designed to detect cancer -like growths. Because both dense tissue and tumors look white on the mammogram, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.
MRI scans are sometimes used to get a more detailed scan of dense breast tissue. Although they are a useful diagnostic tool, MRIS can last up to an hour per scan, making it impractical for routine screening. Contrast-improved digital mammography (CEDM), used to emphasize areas of attention in the chest, exposes patients to higher radiation levels and is not available on a large scale.
Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is another technology that uses a radioactive tracer to ‘light up’ cancer areas in the chest. It has a high sensitivity to detecting cancer in dense breast tissue compared to a standard mammogram, but the dose of radiation is higher and the exposure time is longer.
The improved MBI technology has the potential to overcome these limitations by offering a lower scanning time of approximately ten minutes, much lower exposure to radiation and higher levels of precision due to 3D image formation.
This progress would not only considerably shorten the procedure time, but also give a clearer picture of where cancer -like fabric is located without requiring further imaging. Together these improvements mean that the new MBI technology could be a more efficient, safer and accessible solution for additional screening in women with dense breast tissue.
About 40% of women have dense breast tissue, but this only becomes clear when they attend their mammogram. This is usually not a reason for concern, because screening with mammograms is effective, but women with dense breast tissue have a somewhat increased risk of breast cancer.
Finding new technologies that can improve our ability to detect breast cancer in closed breasts is really important. We are pleased with the progress we have made with Kromek, Newcastle University and UCL since the project started in 2022. Our hope is that this technology can ultimately save more lives for breast cancer in the future. “
Dr. Nerys Forester, Borstradiologist and Leader of Borradiology in Newcastle Hospitals
Professor Kris Thielemans, a medical imaging physics expert from the UCL Division of Medicine who works on this project with colleagues Dr. Kjell Erlandsson and Professor Brian Hutton, said: “This project offers an important chance of promoting breast cancer detection and improving diagnostic options for women with dense breast tissue.
“By developing this imaging technology, we are getting closer to making early detection accessible and more effective for a broader range of patients. Our collaboration has made excellent progress, and we hope that this technology will play an important role in supporting better health results.”
“I also believe that this new technology has a considerable potential for applications that go beyond bust. There is, for example, a growing need for special devices for brain image with better performance than what is currently feasible in areas such as cancer and dementia treatment.”
Dr. Arnab Basu, Chief Executive of Kromek, said: “Our new molecular bust of breast formation technology has the potential to save women’s lives by making previous, faster, more accurate detection of aggressive breast cancer, especially in people with dense breast tissue where conventional mammography often fails.
“With advanced Cadmium Zink-Telluride detectors and advanced electronics, this technology delivers faster scans in a lower dose, so that a standard 2D statue is converted into a accurate 3D image. Currently in prototypent tests in Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals.”
The project, which has received £ 2.5 million from Innovate UK, will participate in clinical tests as soon as the current phase of prototype tests has been completed.
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