Dr. Wiacek in her classroom at Oakland University. Photo credit: Robert Hall Photography
More than one million breast biopsies are performed annually in the United States, and according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, around 20% result in breast cancer diagnoses. With ongoing cancer research, the need to ensure diagnostic accuracy is great. Enter Alycen Wiacek, Ph.D., a brilliant mind with a heart motivated by the impact breast cancer has had on her family. She is on a mission to revolutionize the way these biopsies are conducted through engineering and augmented reality (AR).
Her research is assisted by the support of ORAU’s Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award and the partnership with the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance. The Powe Award, with its $5,000 in research seed money from ORAU, which is matched by the recipient's university, has been a springboard for innovation, supporting more than 900 grants totaling more than $4.1 million since its inception. This support has not only fueled Dr. Wiacek's research, but it has also inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers to explore the untapped potential of AR in healthcare within her classroom.
This image provides an example of one methodology physicians could use; augmented reality goggles.
At the heart of Dr. Wiacek’s mission is a bold vision: to transform the traditional breast biopsy process into one that is more precise, less invasive, and ultimately more effective. Dr. Wiacek is an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering at Oakland University and operates from her lab named MAGIC, or Medical Acoustics for Global Health Imaging and Clinical Translation. Dr. Wiacek and her team of dedicated students are researching the use of AR in medical imaging.
One main type of breast biopsy is the core needle biopsy. In this procedure, a physician inserts a needle through the breast tissue and relies on an ultrasound or other imaging in their peripheral view (DeMarco, 2024). This practice, though traditional, may not be ideal for the highly targeted procedure of biopsy needle placement because ultrasound images can be cluttered or blurry. Dr. Wiacek’s innovative approach with augmented reality promises to enhance the accuracy of biopsies by providing images directly into the physician’s field of view. “This can greatly reduce the complexity of this task,” Wiacek explains in a recent episode of Further Together, the ORAU podcast.
This graphic by the Mayo Clinic shows how the core needle is inserted into breast tissue to retrieve samples of a mass.
Dr. Wiacek's vision extends far beyond the immediate benefits to accurate breast cancer diagnosis. She dreams of a world where AR technology becomes a cornerstone in healthcare, enhancing the delivery of high-quality care across the globe. "If we can have AR-based approaches for biopsy, imagine what else could be done with this technology in healthcare," she notes, her enthusiasm contagious.
As we stand on the brink of a new era in medical technology with AR, the research performed by Dr. Wiacek and her team cannot be overstated. Through her dedication and the support from the scientific community, the future of healthcare looks brighter, more accessible, and more promising. The journey from vision to reality may be ongoing, but with researchers like Dr. Wiacek leading the way, the potential for making a significant impact on global health is within reach.
Sources:
Core-needle biopsy for breast abnormalities | effective health care (EHC) program. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/breast-biopsy-update/clinician
DeMarco, C. (2024, March 1). 9 things to know about breast biopsies. MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/8-breast-biopsy-questions-answered.h00-159303834.html#:~:text=It’s%20important%20to%20pinpoint%20all,also%20sometimes%20called%20stereotactic%20biopsies
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, August 25). Breast biopsy. Test and Procedures - Breast Biopsy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-biopsy/about/pac-20384812#dialogId9726004
ORAU. (2025, January 29). Using augmented reality to improve breast cancer biopsies: A conversation with Alycen W...Blubrry Podcasting. https://blubrry.com/oraufurthertogether/141575876/using-augmented-reality-to-improve-breast-cancer-biopsies-a-conversation-with-alycen-wiacek-phd/