A study of detecting breast cancer using microwave imaging

A number of microwave systems are being developed for breast cancer detection. The objectives of this paper are to develop and test a system suitable for detecting breast cancer. Particular attention is paid to the configuration of the probes/antennas and associated data interpretation algorithms for such a system. It is shown that, generally a round or spherical array offers the best results with more than four antennae from a theoretical view. Results of a developed software algorithm are given from 2D theoretical results through 3D results to a 2D test trying to detect a metal pole in air, the test model. This real world test showed promise with a successful detection at resolutions up to 0.39cm in air although the position showed some error. Further work is needed to improve the system mostly in the antenna and skin interface. A more complex algorithm is also proposed using a numerical instead of graphical methodology.