Screening

While still in the experimental stages, a new imaging system holds promise as a cheaper alternative to MRIs. Molecular breast imaging (MBI), utilizes an injection of tracer particles that are only picked up by cells that are more active than normal, such as cancer cells. A camera then picks up the gamma rays emitted by the tracer particles.

How’s this for another reason to get screened early and often for breast cancer?

There is a new blood test that will show doctors treating metastatic breast cancer patients how well their current chemotherapy treatments are progressing in one-third of the time. Cell Search, developed out of Georgetown University, is a blood test that detects the presence and amount of cancer cells in the blood of metastatic breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Kudos to a Massachusetts-based companyby the name of Hologic that takes mammography to a whole new level. Their innovation is something called digital tomosynthesis, which involves taking many pictures of the breast from different angles. The end result is up to 100 images, which can be arranged to form a three dimensional picture of the breast tissues and a more thorough view of the breast, including cancerous tissue hidden behind other tissues.

Can it be true that a blood test for breast cancer is right around the corner? Well, maybe – and it might even be covered by insurance! Are we dreaming?