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Cancer in lymph nodes will be more likely to be detected with the development of an advanced imaging technique supported by the latest Cancer Council WA grant.

The research led by Associate Professor Robert McLaughlin, from The University of Western Australia's Optical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory , received $99,537 to advance the study into elastography of lymph nodes in breast cancer surgery.

The project is a collaboration between The University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital, and PathWest. Working with Winthrop Professor Christobel Saunders, Winthrop Professor David Sampson, and Dr. Bruce Latham, the team is developing a medical imaging technique that will help identify cancer in lymph nodes by quantifying abnormalities in their elastic properties.

"This type of elastography imaging will be able to detect more subtle changes than is currently possible with ultrasound or MRI," Associate Professor McLaughlin said.

"Our goal is to develop a technique that can help guide surgeons to perform safer, more effective breast cancer surgery. We are lucky to be working with an excellent team of surgeons, pathologists and radiologists here in WA.

"2014 is looking like an exciting year for our research team. It is great to collaborate with one of the largest funders of independent cancer research in Western Australia.

"Cancer research requires a major time commitment and financial investment. I am grateful for Cancer Council WA's support," Associate Professor McLaughlin said.

Cancer Council Western Australia allocates in excess of $2.8 million towards research in Western Australia each year.

"Research plays a key role in helping to achieve a cancer-free future for the people of Western Australia. It is crucial to all of the work that we do. Whether that is helping to discover new ways to treat cancer more effectively or finding new ways to prevent and diagnose cancer," Cancer Council WA Education and Research Director Terry Slevin said.

"We aim to assist and retain world-class cancer researchers in WA, so that the best and brightest, like the team at UWA, choose cancer research as their career path and can work to reduce the impact of cancer," Mr Slevin said.

Media references

Associate Professor Robert McLaughlin (UWA Optical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory) (+61 8)  6488 3105

Clara Dodman (Marketing Officer, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics)(+61 8)  6488 5079

David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716