SAFE: A Novel Microwave Imaging System Design for Breast Cancer Screening and Early Detection—Clinical Evaluation

SAFE (Scan and Find Early) is a novel microwave imaging device intended for breast cancer screening and early detection. SAFE is based on the use of harmless electromagnetic waves and can provide relevant initial diagnostic information without resorting to X-rays. Because of SAFE’s harmless effect on organic tissue, imaging can be performed repeatedly. In addition, the scanning process itself is not painful since breast compression is not required. Because of the absence of physical compression, SAFE can also detect tumors that are close to the thoracic wall. A total number of 115 patients underwent the SAFE scanning procedure, and the resultant images were compared with available magnetic resonance (MR), ultrasound, and mammography images in order to determine the correct detection rate. A sensitivity of 63% was achieved. Breast size influenced overall sensitivity, as sensitivity was lower in smaller breasts (51%) compared to larger ones (74%). Even though this is only a preliminary study, the results show promising concordance with clinical reports, thus encouraging further SAFE clinical studies.

Download Full-text

Computational Validation of a 3-D Microwave Imaging System for Breast-Cancer Screening

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation ◽

10.1109/tap.2009.2021879 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 2105-2115 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

T. Rubaek ◽

O.S. Kim ◽

P. Meincke

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Imaging System ◽

Microwave Imaging ◽

Computational Validation

Download Full-text

Prototype of microwave imaging system for breast-cancer screening

2009 13th International Symposium on Antenna Technology and Applied Electromagnetics and the Canadian Radio Science Meeting ◽

10.1109/antemursi.2009.4805106 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tonny Rubaek ◽

Vitaliy Zhurbenko

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Imaging System ◽

Microwave Imaging

Download Full-text

Strobe Imaging System for Digital Image-Based Elasto-Tomography Breast Cancer Screening

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics ◽

10.1109/tie.2009.2023643 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 56 (8) ◽

pp. 3195-3202 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

C.E. Hann ◽

J.G. Chase ◽

XiaoQi Chen ◽

C. Berg ◽

R.G. Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Digital Image ◽

Imaging System

Download Full-text

A limited review of over diagnosis methods and long-term effects in breast cancer screening

Oncology Reviews ◽

10.4081/oncol.2011.11 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 143-147

Author(s):

Dongfeng Wu ◽

Adriana Pérez

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Early Detection ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Screening Program ◽

Critical Issue ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Probability Modeling

Breast cancer screening programs have been effective in detecting tumors prior to symptoms. Recently, there has been concern over the issue of over-diagnosis, that is, diagnosis of a breast cancer that does not manifest prior to death. Estimates for over-diagnosis vary, ranging from 7 to 52%. This variability may be due partially to issues associated with bias and/or incorrect inferences associated with the lack of probability modeling. A critical issue is how to evaluate the long-term effects due to continued screening. Participants in a periodic screening program can be classified into four mutually exclusive groups depending on whether individuals are diagnosed and whether their symptoms appear prior to death: True-earlydetection; No-early-detection; Over-diagnosis; and Not-sonecessary. All initially superficially healthy people will eventually fall into one of these four categories. This manuscript reviews the major methodologies associated with the over-diagnosis and long-term effects of breast cancer screening.

Download Full-text

Self-perceived Risk of Breast Cancer and Screening Behaviors of First-degree Female Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients at the Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda

10.21203/rs.3.rs-343329/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Provia Ainembabazi ◽

Derrick Bary Abila ◽

Grace Manyangwa ◽

Godwin Anguzu ◽

Innocent Mutyaba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Early Detection ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Perceived Risks ◽

First Degree Relatives ◽

Cancer Breast

Abstract Introduction In Uganda, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females globally. The majority of the patients present with advanced-stage disease at diagnoses and experience high mortality. This underscores the importance of early detection approaches based on awareness of risk factors and self-perceived risks, and symptoms of the disease to promote adoption of risk reduction behaviors and prompt health-seeking respectively. This study assessed the self-perceived risk of breast cancer, and breast cancer screening behaviours among first-degree female relatives of breast cancer patients in Uganda.Methods This was a cross-sectional study employing quantitative approaches for data collection and analyses. First-degree female relatives of patients attending care at Uganda Cancer Institute were recruited consecutively in the study. A pre-tested coded questionnaire was used to collect data on self-perceived risks, breast cancer risks, and breast cancer screening behaviours. Data were collected between March to October 2019. A modified Poisson regression model was used to evaluate factors associated with self-perceived risk of breast cancer and breast cancer risk awareness.ResultsWe enrolled 296 first-degree female relatives from 197 female breast cancer patients. The median age (IQR) was 33 (26-43) years. A majority (60.1%, 178/296) of the participants had a low self-perceived risk of breast cancer. Breast self-examination (55.7%, 165/296) was the most practiced screening method followed by clinical breast examination (n= 64/296, 21.6%), ultrasound scan of the breast (7.8%, 23/296,), and mammogram (3.7%, 11/296). Women aged 35-44 years had a higher self-perceived risk of breast cancer (adjusted Incident Rate Ratio [aIRR]: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.10-2.80), compared to women aged 18-25 years. ConclusionFirst-degree relatives reported a low self-perceived risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer health education especially targeting younger women should emphasize the increased risk of breast cancer in first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer. There is a need to increase awareness of breast cancer screening methods and their usefulness in the early detection of breast cancer among all women in Uganda.

Download Full-text