An overview of radar based ultra wideband breast cancer detection algorithms

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in almost all countries around the world, and is one of the most common non-infective causes of death. Mammography, which uses ionising radiation, is the only early breast cancer screening technique proven to reduce breast cancer mortality in randomised controlled clinical trials. However, screening mammography is expensive, technically demanding and requires a high level of clinical expertise. It cannot be performed in general medical clinical settings readily. Ultra wideband (UWB) or microwave breast screening has the potential to be a safe, accurate and easy-to-use technique for breast disease detection that is more effective than routine clinical palpation or breast self-examination. Ultra wideband breast cancer detection algorithms have been researched by several groups for over a decade, with numerous algorithms reported. This paper serves to give an overview of existing algorithms for UWB breast cancer detection.