NIR or Near Infrared is an innovation in the field of medicine, which is utilized as an imaging technology for breast cancer. NIR is said to be a more efficient way of detecting breast cancer because it is able to scan images on a high resolution, allowing medical doctors to recognize tumors that are smaller in size and undetectable by CT laser mammography. Early detection will definitely lead to early diagnosis and treatment lessening the damages that breast cancer might cause when the case is severe. (Ager)
NIR works such that it follows the concept of optical coherence tomography. The technology of the near infrared light is similar to the technology used in CD players. (Kloeppel) NIR was developed in order to address the problematic issues that surround the previous technology used for detecting cancer, which is x-ray mammography. Employing x-ray mammography requires comprehension force in order to generate the quality imaging results. However, even if enough force is exerted, this does not guarantee an accurate result for the x-ray.
This inaccuracy led to medical errors, stretching up to the employment of biopsies and surgeries that are not necessary. Moreover, statistics have shown that a large percentage of mammography errors have occurred for x-rays conducted on women below 45 years old. Moreover, false tests results have led to the disease being diagnosed in its advanced stages. (Ager) The innovation of the NIR was seen to be instrumental in quality imaging systems and the generation of real time images that medical doctors need to analyze and interpret in order to come up with reliable results for the detection of breast cancer.
(Olive) Although NIR proves itself to be efficient in the detection of breast cancer, several innovations and additions to the system help enhance NIR as a reliable imaging tool for medical doctors to use. Optical Letters has conducted further research for the combination of NIR and MRI to yield even more desirable and reliable results. (Optical Letters) The college of Dartmouth and its medical school counterpart has combined efforts to conduct the study. (Optical Letters)
The MRI and the NIR will both be utilized in detecting breast cancer, and both systems shall have optimal results contributing to the advancement of breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. MRI shall be used to generate imaging that illustrates the structure, shape, and composition of the breast. On the other hand, NIR shall be used to determine how tissues are functioning within the body. The research conducted aspires to connect both MRI and NIR in determining malignant tissues before a biopsy is employed. (Optical Letters)
Perhaps, more research studies should be conducted to be able to determine what systems to incorporate into the NIR in order to enhance the already efficient result of the system. Moreover, like the study of Dartmouth College and medical school, additional research should be conducted in order to identify what systems are more likely to adapt to the NIR system. Great efforts must be exerted by the health care industry in order to hasten the development of technological innovations. According to Ager, breast cancer “is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women between 15 and 54 years old.
” Moreover, the occurrence of deaths due to breast cancer is dependent on the stage from which it the cancer was diagnosed. Therefore, the advancement of NIR should be supported in order to produce more efficient systems of detecting breast cancer even in its early stages. This is to ensure that it does not advance to later stages, which eventually leads to death. (Ager)
Works Cited
Ager, Sharon. (1 May 1998). “Laser Brings New Light to Breast Imaging. ” Breast, Medical Lasers, Mammography. RadiologicTechnology, 1. Kloeppel, James E. (12 September 2006).“Near-infrared Imaging Helps Doctors Detect, Treat Breast Cancer. ”Retrieved from News Bureau University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign. <C:\Documents and Settings\Ekwey\Desktop\Near-infrared_imaging_helps_doctors_detect,_treat_breast_cancer. mht>. Olive, Michael. (October 2006). “Near Infrared Technology and Optical Agents for Molecular Imaging. ” Li-Cor Biosciences, 3. Optical Letters. (15 April 2007). “Breast Cancer Diagnosis from Combining MRI with Near-infrared Spectroscopy. ” Retrieved from Mabcie. 5 April 2008. <http://www. mabcie. com/April_16,_2007_breast_cancer. html>.