Temperature sensitive scan increases breast cancer detection rates
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New research conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge shows that a combination of Digital Infrared Breast Scan (DIB), with mammography increases cancer detection rates in women under 50 years of age.
The results proved that when the two technologies were used together that the sensitivity increased by 11% (89%) compared with mammography alone (78%) – indicating that dual imaging is a potential way forward for breast cancer detection in this younger age group.
Although screening has resulted in a 15-20% reduction in breast cancer mortality, it is not offered regularly to women under 50 due to the difficulty of imaging dense breast tissue and image interpretation.
“It has previously been suggested that Digital Infrared Breast Scan is a sensitive in younger women as it is older women. In fact, the results from this study show even better performance in women under 50, especially when combined with mammography and strongly support the use of this technology for younger women where delays in diagnosis are more common, Although the numbers in the study are small, they are very promising,” said Professor Gordon Wishart, Principal investigator of the study.
The scan uses a temperature sensitive camera to detect ‘hot spots’ on the breast resulting from the increased metabolism and blood supply of cancerous cells.
Managing Director of BreastHealth UK Troels Jordansen explained: “Women under 50 are often worried about their breast health because a friend, colleague or family member has had breast cancer and they find it difficult to get access to quality breast advice and screening. We have seen a significant increase in interest in this technology from breast specialists and there are now an increasing number of women seeking more comprehensive screening.”
Professor Gordant Wishart continues: “Recent data from Cambridge, based on 7004 women attending a one-stop diagnostic clinic, showed that although the missed cancer rate was low (4.1 per 1000), the lowest diagnostic sensitivity occurred in women aged 40-49 and 90% of the missed cancers had dense or very dense breasts. We are therefore delighted that the combination of DIB and mammography in this study substantially increased the detection rate for young women to 89% compared to mammography alone.”
By Deepika Dudakia
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