New breast cancer scanner developed for easy detection

New breast cancer scanner developed for easy detection

A NEW breast cancer scanner could bring about a revolution in detection of the disease for thousands of women suffering with it. The lunchbox sized kit will let women test themselves at the comfort and privacy of their home in just minutes. The scanners can be fitted over the bra and there is no need to apply liquid gel unlike ultrasound. If there are any tumours they are depicted by a red dot on a screen. The device was invented by Prof Zhipeng Wu at the Manchester University. Wu believes scanners are small enough to fit inside a lunch box and could eventually be used at home to allow women at risk to continuously monitor their own breast health, cutting waiting lists for GP tests. Wu said, "The system is portable and as soon as you lie down you can get a scan - it's real-time. The real-time imaging minimises the chance of missing a breast tumour during scanning. Other systems also need to use a gel, such as in an ultrasound, to work but with our system you don't need that - it can be done simply in oil, milk, water." A university spokesman said, "Not only is this a quicker and less intrusive means of testing, it means women can be tested at GP surgeries, which could reduce waiting times and in some cases avoid unnecessary X-ray mammography." Wu added, "This will benefit millions of women in developed and developing countries bearing in mind one in nine may develop breast cancer." "Although there is still research to be done, the system has great potential to bring a new way for breast cancer diagnosis." Some 45,000 UK women are diagnosed with the disease each year. It claims around 12,000 lives a year.

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