Study finds breast cancer test unreliable
Key points
- There are several methods available to detect breast cancer, but new research finds one may not be effective.
- Ductal lavage is a procedure that removes cells from milk ducts in the breasts to see if abnormal cells appear cancerous.
- Because most breast cancer starts there, scientists had thought that flushing the ducts would draw out cancerous cells before mammograms detected them.
- Lavage uncovered clear cancer signs in just 13 percent of the cancerous breasts tested.
There are several methods available to detect breast cancer, but new research finds one may not be effective.
Ductal lavage is a procedure that removes cells from milk ducts in the breasts to see if abnormal cells appear cancerous.
Because most breast cancer starts there, scientists had thought that flushing the ducts would draw out cancerous cells before mammograms detected them. But new research shows the test is unreliable.
Lavage uncovered clear cancer signs in just 13 percent of the cancerous breasts tested.
Researchers say mammographies and physical exams are still the most effective way to detect breast cancer.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Cancer →
NewsBreast cancer heterogeneity no barrier to predictive testing, study shows
Breast cancers contain many different cell types with different patterns of gene expression, but a new study provides reassurance that this variability should not be a barrier to using gene expression tests to help…
3 May 2013
NewsUCLA study finds scientific basis for cognitive complaints of breast cancer patients
For many years, breast cancer patients have reported experiencing difficulties with memory, concentration and other cognitive functions following cancer treatment. Whether this mental "fogginess" is psychosomatic or…
20 April 2013
NewsNearly half of breast cancer patients at risk of having BRCA mutations not sent for genetic testing
Only 53 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who were at high risk of carrying a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation – based on age, diagnosis, and family history of breast or ovarian cancer – reported that their…
