Women across the country may someday have an alternative to painful mammograms.

British researchers have come up with a new, cheaper screening called Maria, where the radiation exposure is minimal and it's painless. The doctors also say the test can detect cancer within seconds.

Amazingly, the new test comes from the same technology used to detect landmines and uses radio waves similar to a cell phone.

Dr. Nidhi Sahgal, a breast surgeon at White Plains Hospital, cautions that the new test has only been tried on a small number of women.Also, even if the new technology were to become a viable option, Dr. Sahgal says traditional tests and exams would still be needed to properly diagnosis the cancers.

The new screening test needs FDA approval, but many doctors are hoping it will be in widespread use within the next five years.