Project description
Breast cancer screening without X-rays
In most countries, mammography is the standard method of screening for breast cancer in the female population over the age of 40. However, the adverse effects associated with the use of X-rays necessitate alternative, safer solutions. The EU-funded MammoWave project has developed a revolutionary device that facilitates accurate detection of breast lesions without ionising radiation. It relies on microwave radiofrequency signals to perform imaging and is accompanied by specialised software collectively providing a reported sensitivity of >90 %. Given the high prevalence of breast cancer in women, a safe and accurate imaging modality will increase mass screenings.
Objective
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent form of cancer in women. One in nine women will acquire BC at some point in their life and one in thirty will die from the disease . Most EU countries have adopted mass BC screening programmes as a way for detecting the disease early, using tools such as mammography machines. Mammography has been the medical industry’s “gold standard” breast cancer screening tool for nearly four decades. However, a number of adverse effects, backed up by mounting scientific evidence, are now limiting the use of mammography as a mass screening device.
MammoWave is a revolutionary BC screening device for highly accurate cancer detection based on safe microwaves instead of ionizing radiation (X-rays).
The excellent overall sensitivity (ongoing clinical trials show sensitivity above 90%), the simple method that requires no squishing of the breast, and the complete safety of the microwave imaging technique, make MammoWave primed for mass BC screening.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processing
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesnuclear physics
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancer
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
06081 Frazione Rivotorto
Italy
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.