Skip to main content

Innovative and safe microwave-based imaging technology to make breast cancer screening more accurate, inclusive and female-friendly

Objective

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, affecting 1 in 8 women. The figures from WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer estimate that in 2020 worldwide cases of breast cancer accounted for 24% of all cancers in women (2.26 million women and 685,000 deaths globally). Mammography is the gold standard technology for breast screening, which has been demonstrated through different randomized controlled trials to reduce breast cancer mortality. However, it has limitations and potential harms, such as the use of ionizing radiation, breast compression and performance restrictions due to the intrinsic nature of X-rays. In particular, breast density is a restrictive property that can prevent breast cancer detection in mammograms of women with radiographically dense breasts. Other existing techniques (MRI, Ultrasound, biopsy) also suffer from drawbacks. The overall aim of the MammoScreen proposal is to generate evidence about the use of MammoWave (a technology developed by UBT) as screening technique in population-based programs promoted by National or Regional Health Systems, to reach a revolution in breast screening. To do so, the consortium aims to confirm that MammoWave reaches sensitivity>90% and specificity>95% in BC detection on 10000 study participants undergoing regular screening programs. MammoWave uses safe non-invasive and non-ionizing microwave signals, does not apply any compression to the breast and is very effective with dense breasts. Hence it can extend the breast screening to younger women aged 20-49 (98 million women in Europe). This group accounts for ~30% of breast cancers in 2020. A comprehensive health economic assessment will be undertaken in this project and innovative way to implement patient engagement approaches is sought. An effective policy makers’ engagement plan will be carried out to ensure that MammoWave is recommended as screening approach due to the benefits that it brings to women and healthcare systems. This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on ‘Prevention, including Screening.

Programme(s)

Coordinator

FONDAZIONE TOSCANA LIFE SCIENCES
Net EU contribution
€ 3 178 672,19
Address
Via Fiorentina 1
53100 Siena
Italy

See on map

Region
Centro (IT) Toscana Siena
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (4)

UMBRIA BIOENGINEERING TECNOLOGIES SOCIETA A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 1 197 375,00
Address
Via Santa Maria Della Spina 25
06081 Frazione Rivotorto

See on map

SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Centro (IT) Umbria Perugia
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
SERVICIO DE SALUD DE CASTILLA LA MANCHA
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 776 250,00
Address
Avenida Rio Guadiana 4
45007 Toledo

See on map

Region
Castilla-La Mancha Toledo
Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
SCUOLA IMT (ISTITUZIONI, MERCATI, TECNOLOGIE) ALTI STUDI DI LUCCA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 575 000,00
Address
Piazza San Ponziano 6
55100 Lucca

See on map

Region
Centro (IT) Toscana Lucca
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
EVITA - ASSOCIACAO DE APOIO A PORTADORES DE ALTERACOES NOS GENES REALCIONADOS COM CANCRO HEREDITARIO
Portugal
Net EU contribution
€ 316 250,00
Address
Avenida Antonio Augusto De Aguilar 15 3esq
1050-012 Lisboa

See on map

Region
Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
Activity type
Other
Other funding
€ 0,00

Partners (2)

ELAROS 24/7 LIMITED
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Electric Works, Sheffield Digital Campus
S1 2BJ Sheffield

See on map

SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
No data
LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY LBG
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Borough Road 103
SE10AA London

See on map

Region
London Inner London — East Lewisham and Southwark
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
No data