Low Dose Molecular Breast Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection

Kromek is building a new imaging device that could spot breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, where standard mammograms often miss tumours. The problem is that mammography works poorly for around half of all women, whose dense breast tissue hides cancers behind a white haze on the X-ray image. These women are more likely to be diagnosed late, when treatment is harder. Kromek’s approach uses molecular breast imaging, which tracks a radioactive tracer injected into the bloodstream. Cancer cells absorb more of the tracer than normal tissue, making them visible regardless of breast density. The key innovation is reducing the radiation dose to levels comparable with mammography, so the technique becomes practical for routine screening. If the technology works, it could give radiologists a reliable tool for the large group of women who currently slip through screening gaps. The project is a collaboration with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, Newcastle University and University College London to refine the hardware and collect the clinical data needed for regulatory approval and NHS adoption. Success would mean fewer interval cancers—tumours that appear between scheduled mammograms—and earlier detection for women with dense breasts.