This system combines microwaves and artificial intelligence to detect non-radiation breast cancer

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Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed inexpensive technology to detect breast cancer by minimizing exposure to radiation. Instead of X-rays, the system uses microwaves and artificial intelligence analysis techniques. Researchers present their work in an article published February 24, 2020.

The most common medical Review for breast cancer is mammography. It makes it possible to obtain images of the interior of the human body using X-rays. But, in addition to being uncomfortable or even painful, mammography exposes women to radiation which, repeated, can increase the risk of develop a tumor.

Microwave vs X-rays

The term "microwave" generally refers to a cooking appliance. What is the difference with X-rays, and why is it less harmful? These types of waves are both part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which goes from radio waves to gamma rays passing through light visible to the naked eye, infrared rays and ultraviolet rays. X-rays make it possible to create an image of the interior of the human body because their wavelength is very small, between 0.03 and 10 nanometers. This allows them to pass through materials.

But they are also ionizing rays, that is to say that they add or remove electrons to the atoms they meet. They are also capable of breaking DNA molecules in living cells when they pass through them. These characteristics make them very dangerous for living organisms, and that is why it is necessary to limit their exposure. In comparison, microwaves have a much longer wavelength, on the order of one meter to one millimeter. Their penetration capacity is much lower and they therefore cause no damage (unless they are generated in very high doses).

Harmless microwaves

The team at the University of Waterloo has developed a sensor that emits harmless microwaves installed in a 15-square-centimeter box placed under a medical examination table. The patient settles down flat on the table and positions her breast in the box. Inside, the sensor emits microwaves whose "reflections" – like a radar – are analyzed by a system using artificial intelligence techniques. It does not carry out medical imaging proper, but only anomaly detection.

It is able to detect anomalies less than a centimeter in diameter by comparing the structure of the tissues of the two breasts. If the system notices an irregularity, it sends a recommendation to the doctor to schedule an additional examination such as a mammogram or an ultrasound as the case may be. 

Reduce healthcare costs

Thanks to this device, "potential problems will be identified earlier, in the early stages of cancer development. The more expensive existing technologies are only used when necessary "says Omar Ramahi, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Waterloo. The prototype, resulting from 15 years of research, cost less than 5000 dollars to build. A cost that could seriously reduce health spending.

The researchers have filed a patent and shown a company called "Wave Intelligence" to market their system and hope to start rolling out clinical trials in the next six months.

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