Breast cancer diagnosis using scattered X-rays?

We have performed small angle X-ray scattering measurements at the Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury to make an initial assessment of the diagnostic information obtainable from various breast tissues. These experiments have indicated that high quality interpretable diffraction data can be rapidly produced from breast core cut biopsy specimens. We have demonstrated a remarkable and systematic difference between the X-ray scattering from normal, benign and malignant breast tissue collagen. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to use molecular structure characteristics of breast tissue as novel markers of disease progression.