UC Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic researchers, led by Dr. Chris Barty, Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, have developed an innovative method for capturing x-ray images. This new technique aids doctors in detecting breast cancer earlier and more safely, addressing a critical need as traditional mammograms often miss tumors in women with dense breast tissue.

The method, called Scanning K-edge Subtraction (SKES) imaging, utilizes a specialized x-ray beam that produces much clearer images while using only 3 percent of the radiation used in standard tests. This significant reduction in radiation exposure enhances patient safety.

Dr. Barty’s team included five graduate students: three Physics P.D students (Christine Nguyen, Eric Nelson, and Kyle Chesnut) and two M.D-Ph.D. students (Trevor Reutershan and Haitham Effarah). These students were recipients of UC Irvine’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), which trains students as both scientists and clinicians to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries to patient care.

The team’s findings demonstrate that SKES imaging has the potential to locate tumors often missed by current imaging technologies while exposing patients to less radiation. This breakthrough not only promises to enhance patient care and improve outcomes but also has the potential to prevent many patients from developing cancer-related illnesses in the first place.

Click here to read full article published in Medical Physics.

Author: Gabrielle Comfort