X-ray free breast cancer screeening using simple vibrations

What is it about?

A new, non-invasive and low-cost breast cancer screening technology is described, which analyses vibrations on the surface of the breast to find tumors which are much stiffer than surrounding tissue. Cancerous tissue is stiffer than healthy tissue and will result in variations in surface vibration, much like how soil and ground stiffness are reflected in building motion during earthquakes. One diagnostic method presented here results in similar accuracy to assymptomatic mammography but at a lower cost and with the added bonus of being non-invasive (X-ray free) and safe for women of all ages.

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Photo by Rebekah Vos on Unsplash

Photo by Rebekah Vos on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Drawbacks of mammography include controversial radiation exposure, poorer performance in women wth dense breast tissue (~43% of women), radiologist dependent success, and discomfort due to breast compression. This technology overcomes those barries, to provide a form of breast screening safe for women of all ages, involving no painful breast compression, and which is portable and easy to set up in rural clinics. The algorithms presented mean diagnosis could be completely automated with no requirement for interpretation of results. The overal impact of tihs technology is its ability to reach women of all ages and socio-economic means, increasing equity of access to care.

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