Microstrip antenna for early stage breast cancer detection—a survey

Microstrip antennas are finding growing application in medical fields mostly for imaging, diagnosis, and treatment purposes. Antenna is a key component for detection of abnormality in biological signals and can be designed to be utilized on skin as well as implanted inside body. To form a bio communication system between medical devices and exterior instruments, low power compact antennas can be designed. A specific application of microstrip antenna in microwave breast imaging is considered in this paper. Conventional methods for breast cancer detection like X Ray mammography, ultrasound and MRI has some limitation. Microwave Breast Imaging (MBI) is a promising solution to obtain precise information about breast tissues and promises accurate and safer modality for regular breast scanning. Methods to reduce effects of backscattering by placing antenna in contact with breast skin is utilized where skin can be considered as a layer of antenna substrate. This technique helps to reduces signal scattering which helps to increase tumor detection sensitivity.