THEi develops AI non-Invasive breast cancer screening system wins international award

A groundbreaking AI-powered breast cancer screening system developed by Hong Kong researchers has earned international recognition, winning a Silver Medal at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival.

The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), in partnership with local technology firm WSC Holding Limited and the North University of China, has developed the “Near-Infrared Screening Imaging System for Detecting Breast Cancer.” The system uses AI to analyze blood flow patterns in female breast tissues, enabling healthcare professionals to identify potential abnormalities and detect breast cancer at earlier stages.

The development addresses a critical healthcare challenge in Hong Kong, where breast cancer ranks among the most common cancers affecting women.

Traditional screening methods, while effective, can be costly and uncomfortable, leading to some cases going undetected and delaying crucial treatment.

Funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission’s “Mainland-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme,” the system employs diffuse optical and correlation tomography to collect comprehensive data on blood flow, blood oxygen levels, and oxygen metabolism in breast tissue.

The non-invasive approach allows healthcare professionals to quickly evaluate patients’ health status by analyzing imaging of abnormal metabolic conditions.

Clinical trials conducted between November 2024 and May 2025 demonstrated promising results. The AI model analyzed breast blood flow data from more than 1,000 subjects, achieving an 86.5 percent accuracy rate in identifying abnormal breast tissues.

Researchers say the system’s accuracy can be significantly improved through further optimization of the AI algorithms.

THEi is now recruiting 600 women aged 30 to 65 to participate in the ongoing study at no cost. The research will contribute to building a comprehensive women’s breast hemodynamic database to support medical decision-making.

During the screening process, personnel will place the detector on the woman’s breast and obtain imaging feedback within 15 minutes using near-infrared signal technology.

The institute emphasizes that no images of participants’ breasts will be produced during scanning, and all information will be kept strictly confidential. Data will be encrypted and stored on password-protected computers accessible only to researchers, with disposal following established protocols.