SCIENTISTS have developed a robot that could feel for breast cancer even better than a doctor.
Experts from the University of Bristol hope the bot can be rolled out in pharmacies and health centres, completely revolutionising the way women check their breasts.
Lead author George Jenkinson, said he wanted the technology to "contribute to and complement the arsenal of techniques used to diagnose breast cancer".
Around 55,000 women and 370 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.
Catching the disease early via screening boosts survival rates.
One of the ways doctors check for the cancer if by performing clinical breast examinations (CBE), which involves a physical exam of the breasts and surrounding tissue.
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Most doctors don't agree on how best to perform a breast examination, but all generally believe that if it is well performed, then it can be a very useful for picking up cancers early.
George and his team are working on developing the robot to make it better, faster and more reliable than than any doctor at detecting cancers.
By combining techniques used by doctor with AI the robot should be able to find lumps deeper in the breast tissue, that would be impossible to discover by just human touch alone, the team said at the RO-MAN conference, where they presented their findings.
“So far we have laid all of the groundwork,” George explained.
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“We have shown that our robotic system has the dexterity necessary to carry out a clinical breast examination – we hope that in the future this could be a real help in diagnosing cancers early.”
The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women from the age of 50 to 70 registered with a GP for screening every 3 years.
Breast screening uses a test called mammography which involves taking x-rays of the breasts.
But anyone can get a CBE from a GP or another trained healthcare professional if they notice a bump or lump.
This research was a part of project ARTEMIS, funded by Cancer Research UK
What are the symptoms of breast cancer
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Source: The NHS
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