Download Title: The motion of change Jill Mathews Headquartered in

Title: The motion of change
Jill Mathews
Headquartered in Bellingham, SPIE is a not for profit international society advancing the
science and application of light. (For SPIE, “light” includes all forms of electromagnetic
radiation, from radio waves to X and gamma rays.) Members of SPIE work in a wide
variety of science and engineering fields where imaging and light are important. Some
design and use the equipment to look for planets in remote galaxies; others are making
advances at understanding the new world of nanotechnology. A very large number of
SPIE members work on medical imaging and research. Much of this work is on
improving the detection of cancer, its prevention and its treatment.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. About ten
percent of women are confronted with breast cancer during their lives, and as many of
us know, breast cancer can be most efficiently treated if detected at an early stage.
SPIE scientists and engineers are improving imaging technology to locate and identify
the tiniest tumors in any kind of breast tissue. Others are finding and improving new
ways to use light, to treat the tumors without radical surgery or to find the optimal mix
of treatments for individual patients.
Much of the equipment used in genetics to unravel an individual’s genetic map is based
on light. Perhaps as our understanding of cancer and genetics develops, we will
improve prevention. Until then, our improved understanding of how one’s DNA affects
susceptibility to cancer or recurrence allows optimization of the treatment.
SPIE is proud of what its members continue to do to overcome cancer.
“Our goal is to develop a bedside optical technology that physicians can use to optimize
tumor response and minimize toxic side effects of chemotherapies. This work is an
important step toward developing technologies for individualized breast cancer care.”
Bruce Tromberg, Director Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, Department of
Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, and 2006 SPIE Board Member
Some of the images used to create this piece have been used with permission
from contributing authors of the book “Recent Advances in Breast Imaging,
Mammography, and Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Breast Cancer,” published
in 2006, by SPIE.
Ruey-Feng Chang, National Chung Cheng Univ., Chiayi, Taiwan
Joseph Y. Lo, Duke Univ. Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
Rangaraj M. Rangayyan, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
and Department of Radiology, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
Yajie Sun, Kodak Health Group, Rochester, NY USA
Tibor Tot, Central Hospital, Falun, Uppsala Univ. Sweden