# X-Ray Diffraction of Collagen-Structured Water Molecules for Cancer Detection

## TL;DR

This study uses X-ray diffraction of water molecules to detect cancer and distinguish fibroadenomas, improving cancer diagnosis.

## Contribution

A novel method for identifying fibroadenomas and cancer using collagen-structured water molecule diffraction patterns.

## Key findings

- Collagen structure changes are detectable in water reflexes via X-ray diffraction.
- Machine learning on water diffraction patterns achieves high classification accuracy for cancer and fibroadenomas.
- The method works with both synchrotron and laboratory diffractometer data.

## Abstract

Structural biomarkers determined by X-ray scattering of the tissues can complement conventional histopathology and facilitate a fast triage procedure of cancer biopsy samples. It has been shown previously that lipid reflexes can distinguish cancerous from benign samples, except for fibroadenomas. In the present study, we demonstrate that fibroadenoma samples can be recognized using X-ray scattering of collagen. Moreover, we show that modifications in collagen structure are manifested in the water reflexes. Examination of diffraction patterns from water using two-dimensional Fourier transformation and machine learning yields excellent classification metrics in both synchrotron images and laboratory diffractometer data.