Knowledge gained in developing particle detectors for the LHC has been used to create a dedicated positron-emission tomography system for breast-cancer diagnosis – the ClearPEM. Developed by the Crystal Clear Collaboration, it's a direct application of this international team’s experience in developing scintillating crystals for electromagnetic calorimeters. Two ClearPEM prototypes have been built and extensively tested. Both have been approved for a first clinical trial, which is already giving hints on how ClearPEM can improve the diagnostic process.

Read more: "ClearPEM clarifies breast cancer diagnosis" – CERN Courier

About the author

Benjamin Frisch, CERN, on behalf of the Crystal Clear collaboration and the ClearPEM-Sonic collaboration.