Using cell phones to diagnose breast tumors

Point-of-care cellular and molecular pathology of breast tumors on a cell phone

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10830317

This study is working on a new way to use cell phone technology to quickly and accurately diagnose breast cancer, especially for people in areas where regular medical services are hard to get, so that patients can get the help they need sooner.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10830317 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a portable and accessible method for diagnosing breast cancer using cell phone technology. It aims to provide timely and accurate pathological confirmation of breast tumors, especially in low-resource settings where traditional pathology services are limited. By analyzing cellular and molecular characteristics of breast tumors through mobile devices, the research seeks to improve patient access to essential diagnostic services and facilitate early treatment. The approach includes identifying abnormal cell morphologies and tumor biomarkers that are crucial for determining the appropriate treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include women diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those living in low-resource settings.

Not a fit: Patients who have already received comprehensive pathology services and treatment for breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment access for patients in underserved areas.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using mobile technology for health diagnostics, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.