Use of biostereometric analysis as a screen for breast cancer.

Biostereometric analysis, a photographic surface imaging technology that is noninvasive, was tested for its effectiveness in selecting breast pathology in a sample of 1000 female subjects, including 80 with cancers, 635 normals, and 285 with benign breast conditions. These individuals were recruited from the population of women undergoing routine mammographic examination. The project was designed specifically to determine whether biostereometric analysis could identify the individuals in the sample with malignant breast disease in the hope of providing information to aid in future development of a breast cancer screening protocol. The overall sensitivity of the method for cancers of all sizes was 76%. Biostereometric analysis was 85% sensitive for selection of cancers in the subjects over 50 years of age, and identified 80% (4 of 5) of the subjects with clinically confirmed breast cancers less than 1 cm in size. The method was 69% specific, but identified benign breast disease in only 51% of cases.

Breast volume measurement of 598 women using biostereometric analysis.

A study of the volumes of the right and left breasts of 598 subjects was undertaken using biostereometric analysis. This measurement uses close-range stereophotogrammetry to characterize the shape of the breast, and is noncontact, noninvasive, accurate, and rapid with respect to the subject involvement time. Using chi-square tests, volumes and volumetric differences between breast pairs were compared with handedness, perception of breast size by each subject, age, and menstrual status. No significant relationship was found between the handedness, age, or menstrual status of the subject and the breast volume. Several groups of subjects were accurate in their perception of breast size difference. Analysis did confirm the generally accepted clinical impression of left-breast volume dominance. These results are shown to be consistent with those of a previous study using 248 women.

Biostereometric analysis for breast cancer detection.

A measurement technique has been developed for noninvasive breast cancer detection. The process involves the use of close-range stereophotogrammetry as a data acquisition device for the determination of breast surface concavities. We report the methodology used to detect these surface depressions, the rationale for the study, and our preliminary findings.

Breast volume measurement of 248 women using biostereometric analysis.

A study of volumes of the right and left breasts of 248 subjects was undertaken using biostereometric analysis. This measurement technique uses close-range stereophotogrammetry to characterize the shape of the breast and is noncontact, noninvasive, accurate, and rapid with respect to the subject involvement time. Volumes and volumetric differences between breast pairs were compared, using chi-square tests, with handedness, perception of breast size by each subject, age, and menstrual status. No significant relationship was found between the handedness of the subject and the larger breast volume. Several groups of subjects based on age and menstrual status were accurate in their perception of breast size difference. Analysis did not confirm the generally accepted clinical impression of left breast volume dominance. Although a size difference in breast pairs was documented, neither breast predominated.

Right and left breast volume and volume distribution comparisons in normal and tumor-containing breasts.

A measurement technique involving the use of close-range stereophotogrammetry has been developed for the study of breast volume and volume distribution (shape) comparison. This biostereometric method has been shown to be able to measure volume to within 0.63% of that determined by water displacement. This study describes the rapid and non-invasive data acquisition methodology as well as the mathematical algorithms used to determine breast volume. Additionally, the paper discusses the application of this process to documenting the presence or absence of total volume and volume distribution differences existing in normal breasts and those containing benign and malignant tumors.

Validity and reliability of biostereometric measurement of the human female breast.

A measurement technique has been developed for application in the area of noninvasive breast cancer detection. The measurement process involves the use of close-range stereophotogrammetry as a data acquisition device necessary for determination of breast volume and volume distribution. This report details the methodology used to acquire and analyze stereopair photographs necessary to document the validity and reliability of this application. The volume of a test object was determined by both water displacement and stereophotogrammetric analysis to estimate the precision of the proposed methodology. Additionally, the reliability component of the study was documented by analyzing variability of coordinates representing a series of locations marked on the surface of an irregularly shaped object. Both tests confirm that this stereometric analysis is a reliable and valid method of measurement and may be well suited for further development in the field of breast cancer detection.