Qualitative evaluation of Ultra Low Dose Molecular Breast Imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative evaluation of Ultra Low Dose Molecular Breast Imaging
IRAS ID
337828
Contact name
Nerys Forester
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 27 days
Research summary
Primary screening for breast cancer in the UK utilises mammography in most women. Studies have shown that women with dense breast tissue have an increased risk of cancer as well as mammography having a reduced sensitivity in these women. Women with extremely dense breast tissue make up around 10% of the routine risk screening population of women in the UK. These women are currently not treated any differently in the UK breast screening programme. In line with national targets to make cancer screening more personalised, current research is investigating whether supplementary imaging may be of benefit in this cohort of women.
Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a nuclear medicine technique involving a radioactive substance being injected into the body; this substance is taken up more preferentially by cancerous cells than by the surrounding healthy tissue. An image of the breast is then taken by a camera that detects the radiation and shows the tumour clearly regardless of breast density. So therefore, in theory, this new technique should be more sensitive in women with dense breasts; this is supported by a small number of studies showing superior diagnostic accuracy of MBI compared to mammograms. Previous qualitative work highlighted that current MBI imaging is too time consuming, and the required dose of radiation is considered too high to be of use in the UK. Technical improvements are underway by a commercial radiation detection company, to produce new detectors which will work more quickly and at a lower radiation dose.
In this study we aim to conduct online or face to face, qualitative interviews, with patient and healthcare staff stakeholders, to learn about optimal patient populations, implementation of new interventions, MBI user requirements, future clinical study design and health economic model inputs.REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
24/WA/0135
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion