Development of J-PEM for breast cancer detection and diagnosis using positronium imaging

Abstract

The purpose of the presented investigations is to design, construct and establish the characteristic performance of the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Mammography(J-PEM), being designed for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. Its construction is based on a novel idea of PET tomography based on plastic scintillators and wavelength shifter (WLS) and a new concept of positronium imaging. We have prepared a simulation program based on Monte Carlo methods for optimizing the geometry and material of the J-PEM prototype. Here we present the first results from the simulations and a brief review of the state of art of breast imaging modalities and their characteristics motivating our investigation.