A new breast cancer scanner could revolutionise detection of the disease for tens of thousands of women suffering with the disease.The lunchbox sized kit will let women test themselves at home in just minutes.
The scanners can be fitted over the bra and there is no need to apply liquid gel, as used in ultrasound.Any tumours are shown by a red dot on a screen.The device was invented by Prof Zhipeng Wu at Manchester University.Professor Wu believes scanners are small enough to fit inside a lunch box and could eventually be used at home to allow at-risk women to continuously monitor their own breast health, cutting waiting lists for GP tests.
He said: 'The system is portable and as soon as you lie down you can get a scan - it's real-time. The real-time imaging minimises the chance of missing a breast tumour during scanning.'Other systems also need to use a gel, such as in an ultrasound, to work but with our system you don't need that - it can be done simply in oil, milk, water or even with a bra on.
A university spokesman said: "Not only is this a quicker and less intrusive means of testing, it means women can be tested at GP surgeries, which could reduce waiting times and in some cases avoid unnecessary X-ray mammography.Prof Wu added: "This will benefit millions of women in developed and developing countries bearing in mind one in nine may develop breast cancer.
"It could also be used at home for monitoring of breast health."It could also dramatically improve cancer monitoring and treatment in developing countries.
"Although there is still research to be done, the system has great potential to bring a new way for breast cancer diagnosis."Some 45,000 UK women are diagnosed with the disease each year. It claims around 12,000 lives a year.
A £600 million fund for cancer drugs was yesterday confirmed by Health Secretary UK Andrew Lansley - after speculation the plan faced cutbacks.
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