Breast cancer has the second-highest mortality rate of all cancers in women. In 2016 there were approximately 16,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia and about 250,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States. Surgical removal of the tumour is a central component of treatment, and the most common procedure is breast-conserving surgery which aims to remove the cancerous tissue while ensuring an excellent cosmetic outcome. Unfortunately, complete removal of the tumour is challenging, and a vital issue facing surgeons is the accurate, microscopic identification of tumour during surgery. Currently, a pathologist examines the removed tissue post-operatively. If there are cancer cells in the margin surrounding the removed tissue, the patient will require additional surgery to remove the residual tumour. As a result, approximately 25% of patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery will require a second surgery to remove residual malignant tissue not removed in the initial operation.

Through its signature technology, OncoRes Medical is addressing this complex challenge by developing an intraoperative imaging technology that translates the surgeon's sense of touch into a microscale image. Effectively, the same intraoperative imaging technology will provide surgeons with real-time assessment of tissue microstructure along with enhanced surgical accuracy and reduced complication rates.

The patent-protected technology is currently under development in collaboration with leading researchers at the University of Western Australia and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and breast cancer surgeons at the Western Australian public health system. With funding provided by the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), OncoRes Medical aims to develop the technology for use in clinical applications that require the real-time assessment of tissue microstructure. By collaborating with leading researchers at the University of Western Australia, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and breast cancer surgeons and pathologists from the Western Australian Department of Health, OncoRes believes it will succeed.