Biomechanics and Ergonomics

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women in the "western world". The X-ray mammography is the primary way to check and diagnose breast cancer as this procedure is very sensitive, though it is not very specific. When a suspicious abnormality is detected, biopsies are necessary and / or additional imaging scans using. Breast biopsy is a highly specific and sensitive method, but is invasive and sometimes painful, leaving scar tissue that may confuse future breast exploration. Moreover, about half of the times, the biopsy is negative. It would therefore be desirable to have an alternative: a noninvasive method to track ambiguous or difficult to interpret mammograms, or breast exam inconclusive.
In this project, we start from the previous experience of the participants to move towards obtaining a multimodal image registration (based on biomechanical modeling of tissues specific to the  patient) of mammography scans using MRI, PET and X-rays in order to increase the specificity and sensitivity of these non-invasive diagnostic methods, thereby reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies. All impacting in less damage to the patient and increased diagnostic accuracy without increasing investment in new diagnostic devices.