The prototype of a new machine that can detect tumors in women with dense breast tissue has been developed by researchers from UCL, Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University, in partnership with international technology group Kromek.
All breasts are composed of adipose (fatty) and fibroglandular (dense) tissue. Up to 40% of women have dense breasts containing a high proportion of fibroglandular tissue.
Dense breasts pose a problem for mammogram tests, designed to detect cancerous growths. Because both dense tissue and tumors appear white on the mammogram, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.
MRI scans are sometimes used to get a more detailed scan of dense breast tissue. While they are a useful diagnostic tool, MRIs can take up to an hour per scan, making it impractical for routine screening. Contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM), used to highlight areas of concern in the breast exposes patients to higher levels of radiation and is not widely available.
