Materia Medica Malaysiana

New tool to detect breast cancer

A Universiti Sains Malaysia research team has invented NeuralMammo –an improvised device for early and effective detection of breast cancer.
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering lecturer Dr Nor Ashidi Mat Isa said the system, comprising image processing and intelligent diagnostic tools, could be used in mass screening programmes.
“It is an invention which incorporates image processing from fine needle aspirates (FMA) of breast lesion,” he said.
Shamsu (left) showing a vase coated with ash glaze and Dr Nor Ashidi showing how to use the NeuralMammo software program in Penang Wednesday.
He said the NeuralMammo which was particularly useful in handling critical cancer cases scored 99% on the scale of accuracy, 97% on sensitivity and 100% on specificity.
“The percentage of false positive and false negative results using the device is considerably low at 2.5% and 0% respectively,” he said.
“We can detect breast cancer fast and efficiently using this device. It can be used in mass screening programmes, especially in developing countries where the pathologist-population ratio is very low,” he said.
Dr Nor Ashidi said the device had the potential to be commercialised, adding that the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, had started utilising the device.
He said the diagnostic device could be sold between RM20,000 and RM30,000, adding that it came complete with a software programme and a personal computer.
“We are now in the fine-tuning process to get clearer imaging. Our team started work on the project two years ago,” he told a press conference yesterday.