You might be wondering what in world landmines have to do with breast cancer. I am going to tell you today how the technique of landmine detection could be used in breast cancer detection.
This is a radical new idea to screen for breast cancer and uses microwave radar technology to detect early breast cancer. Researchers are hoping that this would save thousands of lives.
It's all happening in UK. Bristol-based Micrima Ltd, a spin-out from Bristol University, has received a £150,000 investment from NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) to help the company develop this innovative technology. This is part of a funding round worth £475,000 with co-investment from private investors and Sulis, the University Challenge Fund managed by Quester.
As you all know, at this mammography remains the main screening technique for breast cancer worldwide. Each year 1.5 million women are screened for breast cancer in the UK. Mammography is best suitable for women over 50 when breast tissue is less fibrous. The new method involves no radiation but instead uses a radar technology and is suitable for screening younger women. This new technique absolutely has no health risks.
Micrima's microwave radar technology is poised to revolutionize breast screening as it can offer a quick method of imaging which may help avoid unnecessary and expensive biopsies.
The company's innovative technology was originally developed for detecting buried landmines. The similarities between mine detection and breast screening are striking. Both involve the discovery of a discrete object whose electrical properties are different from the surrounding medium. At microwave frequencies, tumors contrast well with normal breast tissue. |
