Researchers at the University of Manitoba are at the forefront of a promising advancement in breast cancer detection, developing a novel dual-mode imaging system that combines microwave and ultrasound technologies. This innovation, born from decades of work in the university's Electromagnetic Imaging Laboratory, aims to overcome key limitations in current screening methods, particularly for women with dense breast tissue. Partnering with Winnipeg-based medtech firm Taumedis Inc., the team is refining prototypes that could soon enter clinical trials, potentially transforming early diagnosis across Canada.

Breast Cancer in Canada: A Pressing Public Health Challenge

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. According to projections for 2026 from the Canadian Cancer Society, approximately 32,400 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis, accounting for 26 percent of all new female cancer cases. Tragically, around 5,400 women are expected to succumb to the disease that year. With a lifetime risk of 1 in 8 for Canadian women, early detection is crucial, as it dramatically improves survival rates—the five-year net survival stands at about 90 percent when caught early.Canadian Cancer Society breast cancer statistics

Canada's organized screening programs, such as those run by provincial health authorities, recommend biennial mammograms for women aged 50 to 74, with some extending to 40-49 or 75-79 based on risk. These initiatives have saved lives by identifying tumours before symptoms appear, yet gaps persist. Access issues in rural and remote areas, long wait times, and suboptimal performance in certain patient groups hinder progress.

The Dense Breast Dilemma in Mammography Screening

One major hurdle is breast density, a natural variation where glandular and fibrous tissue dominate over fatty tissue. In Canada, 40 to 50 percent of women aged 40 and older have heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts. On a mammogram, both dense tissue and tumours appear white, masking potential cancers and reducing sensitivity. Studies show mammography detects only about 50 percent of cancers in very dense breasts (BI-RADS category D), missing up to 70 percent in some cases compared to fatty breasts.Dense Breasts Canada

Dense breasts not only complicate detection but also elevate risk—women with the highest density have a 4-6 times greater chance of developing breast cancer. While provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories notify women of density results and offer supplemental screening (e.g., ultrasound or MRI for high-risk cases), national guidelines lag. This leaves many at average risk with dense breasts underserved, prompting calls for broader supplemental options.

Understanding Dual-Mode Microwave-Ultrasound Imaging

The University of Manitoba's breakthrough integrates two complementary modalities: microwave imaging (MWI) and ultrasound imaging (USI). Microwave imaging exploits dielectric contrasts—cancerous tissues have higher water content, leading to elevated permittivity and conductivity compared to healthy tissue. Low-power microwaves (non-ionizing) are transmitted through the breast, and scattered signals are captured by antennas to reconstruct 3D images via algorithms.

Ultrasound provides high-resolution structural maps based on sound speed variations. In the dual-mode system, a static receptacle cradles the breast, housing ultrasound transducers above and microwave antennas around. Scans occur without repositioning, minimizing motion artifacts. US data serves as a prior for MWI reconstruction, enhancing accuracy. This patent-pending setup (US 2023/0309958 A1) promises superior tumor localization, especially in dense tissue.UM Dual-Modal Breast Imaging System overview

Photo by Compagnons on Unsplash

The Electromagnetic Imaging Lab's Two-Decade Legacy

UM's Electromagnetic Imaging Lab, housed in the Price Faculty of Engineering, has pioneered microwave breast imaging since the early 2000s. Led by Professor Joe LoVetri, the lab developed clinical prototypes and released the University of Manitoba Breast Microwave Imaging Dataset (UM-BMID)—the largest open-access experimental dataset with 1,257 MRI-derived phantom scans. This resource has fueled global research, enabling machine learning enhancements for reconstruction.Global News on UM breakthrough

Over 20 years, the lab's work evolved from 2D radar-based systems to 3D tomographic imaging, incorporating deep learning for noise reduction and prior integration. Student theses, publications in IEEE journals, and collaborations have positioned UM as a leader in non-ionizing biomedical imaging.

Key Players: Interdisciplinary Expertise Driving Innovation

Professor Joe LoVetri, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Electromagnetic Imaging, heads the effort. His expertise in computational electromagnetics has produced over 300 publications and prototypes tested clinically. Dr. Cameron Kaye, Assistant Professor in Radiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine and co-principal investigator, bridges engineering and clinical needs, emphasizing dense breast challenges.

• LoVetri: "We are the first in the world to couple ultrasound with microwave imaging at the same time."
• Kaye: "There is a clear need to advance breast imaging technologies... particularly in patients with dense breast tissue."

Taumedis CEO Henry Floreal adds industry acumen: "This collaboration... will fuel biomedical imaging innovation in Manitoba." The team draws from engineering, medicine, and students, fostering interdisciplinary training.

Taumedis Partnership: From Lab to Clinic

Taumedis Inc., specializing in multi-modality intraoperative imaging, provides commercialization expertise. Their role: refine prototypes for patient comfort, pursue regulatory approvals, and handle FDA submission. This public-private synergy exemplifies Manitoba's medtech ecosystem, supported by UM's technology transfer office.

Plans include a First-in-Human study late 2026, pending ethics approval, with commercialization following successful trials. Success could yield portable, cost-effective devices for clinics, reducing reliance on resource-intensive MRI.

Potential Benefits: Accuracy, Comfort, and Equity

• Enhanced Detection: Superior contrast in dense tissue; US priors boost MWI specificity.
• Patient-Centric: Non-ionizing, compression-free, quick scans.
• Accessible: Lower cost than MRI, portable for rural Canada.
• Efficient: Complements mammography, shortens diagnostic intervals.

For underserved populations, including Indigenous communities in Manitoba, this could address disparities—breast cancer mortality is higher in remote areas due to delayed diagnosis.

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Path Forward: Trials, Challenges, and Impacts

Upcoming milestones: prototype optimization, FIH trials 2026, FDA pathway. Challenges include algorithm refinement for real breasts, regulatory hurdles, and integration into screening workflows. If validated, it could influence national guidelines, prompting supplemental use.

For UM, this reinforces research leadership, attracting funding/talent. Manitoba benefits economically via jobs in medtech. Nationally, it advances Canada's innovation agenda in health tech.

Broader Context in Canadian Higher Education Research

UM's work aligns with pan-Canadian efforts, like UBC's cancer protein research or McGill's microbiome studies. Universities drive 70 percent of health research output, with engineering-medicine collaborations key. Funding from NSERC, CIHR, and provincial sources sustains such initiatives, training next-gen researchers.

This project exemplifies how Canadian postsecondary institutions translate knowledge into societal good, positioning the sector as a global player in precision medicine.