Project description
The innovative screening solution for early detection of breast cancer
Breast cancer remission rates approach 90% in cases of early detection. The downsides of the current mammography, ultrasound, and MRI screening methods include radiation, high false positive rates in screening results, and high costs. The EU-funded ThermoBreast project represents a consortium of 16 partners from 10 countries that proposes a novel non-contact screening for all age groups and breast densities, capable of detecting pre-cancerous states. The proprietary technology from ThermoMind LTD can detect vascular abnormalities associated with cancer development. The technology combines screening through multiple infrared sensors with advanced AI analysis of temporal dynamic thermal patterns. The project goal is to deliver a medical class 1 device for validation in an international multicentre clinical study.
Objective
Female breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. In 2020, the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated more than 2.26 million new cases of breast cancer. Early detection is crucial to survival; recovery rates approach 90% when detected in early stages. National population-based cancer screening programmes in Europe currently implement 3 standard imaging modalities: mammography, ultrasound and MRI. The downsides of these screening methods include ionising radiation, high costs and high false positive rates in screening results.
Our multidisciplinary consortium of 16 partners from 10 countries aims to contribute to EU’s Mission on Cancer and Beating Cancer Plan by drastically improving the prevention, diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer while reducing the burden on women and female patients and their families, health care professionals and others who are directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer.
ThermoBreast proposes a new solution for accurate, harmless and non-contact screening, equally applicable for all age groups and breast densities and capable of detecting pre-cancerous states. This risk-free screening technology, recently patented by the project coordinator ThermoMind LTD, can detect vascular anomalies and asymmetry, caused by cancerous growth. It combines innovative screening through multiple sensitive infrared sensors with advanced AI analysis of temporal dynamic thermal patterns. Through its patient-centred integrated diagnostics approach, this project converges intelligent computer vision, blood vessel extraction and tissue analysis with advanced information technology to deliver a medical class 1 device that will be validated in an international multicentre clinical study. To enhance stakeholder participation, ThermoBreast involves end users, SSH experts and a patient organisation in the co-creation of the new screening solution and assesses its health and socio-economic benefits as well as its cost effectiveness. This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on ‘Prevention, including Screening’.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputer vision
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancer
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.2.1 - Health Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
FASSUTA
Israel
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.