Disclaimer:
This publication is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While ultrasound and other imaging technologies are widely recognized for their clinical utility, the use, approval, and regulation of any medical device or diagnostic procedure remain under the jurisdiction of each individual nation’s health authorities and regulatory agencies. Accordingly, references to ultrasound and its functions or any other imaging modality in this document should be understood as general scientific discussion only. Implementation, adoption, or clinical application must conform to the laws, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards established within each country. Nothing herein should be construed as a substitute for medical advice, national health policy, or regulatory approval processes.
Featuring insights from Dr. Robert L. Bard | By HealthTech Reporter – International Edition
Introduction: A Pioneer in Ultrasound Innovation
In a recent meeting held by the Male Breast Cancer Global
Alliance (MBCGA),
cancer advocates in
Dr. Bard is internationally recognized as one of the foremost innovators in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. With over four decades of clinical experience, he pioneered the use of high-resolution sonography (in the United States and a list of other countries) in detecting cancers of the breast, thyroid, prostate, and skin. As the Senior Advisory Chair of Cancer Diagnostics at the MBCGA, his appointment extends beyond innovation—toward global impact.
This initiative will prioritize the global education and potential implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as a potential screening tool global regions who need alternative screening options. Dr. Goetze emphasized the Institute’s commitment to education and international collaboration to bridge the cancer diagnosis gap— especially for male cancers that are often overlooked in low-resource settings. The coalition’s support further anchors POCUS as a potential solution for early cancer screening worldwide.
From the
Historical Applications
Ultrasound has long been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a supplemental modality for breast cancer detection (2005, 2008), particularly in patients with dense breast tissue. Over the years, imaging specialists worldwide have incorporated Doppler ultrasound to assess tumor blood flow and elastography to evaluate tissue hardness—both critical in distinguishing between benign scars and malignant tumors. Dr. Bard explains: “Cancer and fibrosis both appear dark under ultrasound. What differentiates them is blood flow—scars don’t have it, but tumors do. Using Doppler, we can detect tumor vessels. If there are none, we monitor; if there are vessels, we biopsy.”
This distinction has helped thousands of clinicians deliver faster, non-invasive diagnoses. With point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)—a compact, portable version of hospital-grade machines—this technology has become even more powerful and accessible, extending life-saving diagnostics into the field, homes, and remote clinics.
UNDERSTANDING POCUS:
A Global Game-Changer
Fifteen years ago, Dr. Bard collaborated with Canadian and European manufacturers to help develop portable ultrasound units. Today’s POCUS devices offer high-resolution imaging, comparable in clarity to conventional machines found in top-tier hospitals. Designed for mobility, affordability, and ease of use, these tools are revolutionizing cancer screening in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. “Male breast cancer is usually close to the skin, just beneath the nipple. With a high-resolution probe, we can see it as a dark mass on a white background. Then we turn on the Doppler to look for tumor vessels. It’s quick and definitive,” Dr. Bard adds.
POCUS enables real-time visualization of tumors, guiding biopsy decisions and validating treatment effectiveness. It also supports clinical staging by evaluating cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes—in the axilla, chest wall, or liver—all without the need for expensive MRI or CT scans.
ELASTOGRAPHY:
Quantifying Cancer with Precision
Elastography, a newer addition to ultrasound technology, measures tissue stiffness in kilopascals. According to Dr. Bard, cancerous tissue is typically hard and gritty, a biological response called desmoplasia. Elastography provides quantifiable data to differentiate light scarring from aggressive tumors—enhancing accuracy in diagnostics. “Globally, elastography is used for thyroid, breast, testicular, and even prostate cancer. It’s a powerful advancement,” Dr. Bard explains. “We’re no longer guessing—we’re measuring.” This innovation reinforces ultrasound’s role in the full diagnostic spectrum—from screening to treatment monitoring.
Screening, Monitoring, and Guiding
Treatment in Real Time
In countries with limited access to early detection screening, portable ultrasound presents a unique opportunity for possible detection and tracking of disease without radiation, heavy equipment, or long travel distances. In addition to detecting tumors, ultrasound is known to excel in evaluating skin involvement, which mammograms may miss. “In inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, there’s blood flow, but not tumor vessels. In lymphoma or skin cancers, we see tumor vessels. Ultrasound helps monitor both,” says Dr. Bard. “If treatment works, we watch the tumor vessels reduce from five… to four… to zero. If not, we see the vessels increase, and know we must change the therapy.”
This ability to visually validate therapeutic response has made ultrasound an invaluable tool in both oncology and chronic disease management, including autoimmune disorders.
PART 2: MAKING THE
CASE FOR WORLDWIDE CHANGE
Why Ultrasound is the Global Solution for Cancer
Screening
In the global fight against cancer, one of the most persistent and deadly barriers remains the lack of access to diagnostic tools in underserved and low-resource regions. While advanced imaging modalities like MRI, CT, and mammography have revolutionized cancer care in high-income countries, their cost, infrastructure demands, and technical complexity have made them largely inaccessible to much of the developing world. In contrast, ultrasound—particularly portable point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)—offers a timely, affordable, and transformative alternative.
1. Affordability and Cost-Efficiency
· No radiation, dyes, or extensive facility requirements.
· Extremely low per-patient screening cost.
2. Training and Implementation
· Community health workers and nurses can be trained in 1–3 weeks.
· Supported by AI and remote image review platforms.
· Already scalable in low-resource settings.
3. Versatility Across Cancer Types
Ultrasound detects more than breast cancer. It’s also used for:
· Thyroid, prostate, testicular, and liver cancers.
· Lymphoma and skin malignancies.
· Inflammatory and autoimmune disease monitoring.
4. Quantitative Monitoring
· Doppler detects vascular activity in tumors.
· Elastography quantifies tumor hardness (kPa scale).
· Repeat scans track treatment response without radiation.
5. A Call to Action
Governments, NGOs, and manufacturers must now consider:
· Investing in national research and deployment strategies.
· Launch training hubs and equipment funding.
· Promoting ultrasound as the early detection screening solution.
Conclusion: Ultrasound is the Future of Equitable
Cancer Care
"The world does not need to wait for the next innovation to solve the cancer screening crisis in underserved populations. The technology already exists. Ultrasound is accessible, portable, clinically validated, and scalable. Backed by decades of clinical research and endorsed by leading radiologists like Dr. Robert Bard, it offers real answers for real-world needs. With a united effort between governments, clinicians, manufacturers, and global health advocates, ultrasound can—and should—become the universal language of cancer screening".
This publication is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While ultrasound and other imaging technologies are widely recognized for their clinical utility, the use, approval, and regulation of any medical device or diagnostic procedure remain under the jurisdiction of each individual nation’s health authorities and regulatory agencies. Accordingly, references to ultrasound and its functions or any other imaging modality in this document should be understood as general scientific discussion only. Implementation, adoption, or clinical application must conform to the laws, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards established within each country. Nothing herein should be construed as a substitute for medical advice, national health policy, or regulatory approval processes.
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