An optical examination technique employs an optical system for in vivo
non-invasive examination of breast tissue of a subject. The optical
system includes an optical module, a controller and a processor. The
optical module includes an array of optical input ports and optical
detection ports located in a selected geometrical pattern to provide a
multiplicity of photon migration paths inside the biological tissue. Each
optical input port is constructed to introduce into the examined tissue
visible or infrared light emitted from a light source. Each optical
detection port is constructed to provide light from the tissue to a light
detector. The controller is constructed and arranged to activate one or
several light sources and light detectors so that the light detector
detects light that has migrated over at least one of the photon migration
paths. The processor receives signals corresponding to the detected light
and forms at least two data sets, a first of said data sets representing
blood volume in the examined tissue region and a second of said data sets
representing blood oxygenation of the examined tissue. The processor is
arranged to correlate the first and second data sets to detect abnormal
tissue in the examined tissue.