In an Australian first, WA researchers are testing a simple scanner that
could allow GPs to pick up early breast cancers, particularly in younger
women who cannot have mammograms.
Edith Cowan University scientists are working with the Chinese developers of
the new imaging technique — a near-infrared breast scanner which is
painless, does not emit radiation and can be used repeatedly.
Although the researchers say it is not intended to replace the traditional
screening of women by mammograms, or breast X-rays, they say it could lead
to earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and save thousands of
lives among the one in eight women who develop the disease.
Unlike other scanning techniques, the highresolution imaging can be used
safely on women of all ages and those with implants, regardless of the size
or density of their breasts.
ECU’s Vario Health Institute is carrying out a clinical trial of women with
breast cancer to assess the capabilities of the device and how it might be
used widely in Australia.
Director Professor Rob Newton said if the trial proved successful the
scanner could save many lives because the key to reducing deaths from breast
cancer was early diagnosis and treatment.
“About 14,500 new cases are projected for 2010 but early detection means
increased treatment options, improved quality of life and ultimately
increased survival,” he said.
“This device is not intended to replace mammograms but it’s more for
wide-scale screening to pick up breast cancer earlier and in large numbers
of women so they can go for further testing, such as biopsies or mammograms.
“Mammogram units are very big and expensive and only actively screen women
from the age of 50, but this device is relatively inexpensive so much bigger
numbers of women, especially younger women, could be screened.”
A separate ECU study will use the latest in photonics research to increase
the accuracy of the scanner and make it more user-friendly.
