A world-first clinical trial to test new imaging technology that can scan tumours during breast cancer surgery has been launched at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with King's College London

In a world-first clinical trial, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust will begin test new imaging technology that can scan tumours during breast cancer surgery.

Every year in the UK 50,000-55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. 70 per cent of those women will go on to require surgery via lumpectomy (removal of the cancerous lump), while 30 per cent require a mastectomy (the complete removal of the breast tissue).

While surgeons do their best to ensure the complete removal of cancerous breast tissue, up to 25 per cent of women who undergo a lumpectomy will require further surgery to remove more of the cancerous breast tissue.

That's due to the microscopic tumor cells left behind, which takes pathologists a week to detect.

"This places enormous burden on the patient who has to come back in for a second operation, potentially delay the next stage of their treatment," explains consultant surgeon, Professor Arnie Purushothamand. "You can imagine the burden of anxiety that is placed upon these patients."