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New Tools to Diagnose Breast Cancer

First Published: 2003
Last Revised: October 2003
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed

There are several new procedures/examinations being studied now to diagnose breast cancer earlier including ductoscopy and digital mammography. These examinations are not available everywhere and are primarily considered investigational at this point. It is hoped that the studies underway will prove that these tests will diagnose breast cancer earlier, thus making the possibility of a cure greater.

Fiberoptic ductoscopy looks for abnormal cells in the milk duct system of the breast. The milk ducts are where most breast cancers begin. Fiberoptic ductoscopy uses a very tiny camera and video monitor to look inside the milk ducts. The doctor cannot only look at the ductal system but can also remove cells from the ducts for lab tests.

Ductoscopy takes about 40 minutes in the doctor's office. The patient is given an anesthetic and most experience little or no pain.

The advantage of ductoscopy is that the doctor can remove lesions without making an incision, thus there is less chance of tissue damage. Most researchers also feel that the results of ductoscopy are more accurate than traditional biopsy, because the cells are directly from the milk ducts.

Digital mammography differs from regular mammography because the pictures taken of the breast can be stored electronically, rather than placed on x-ray film. From the patient's view, the position, the pressure of the plates and how the machine looks are all nearly the same as the standard mammography machine.

In digital mammography, the digital system converts x-rays into electronic signals--very similar to a digital camera. The electronic signals are used to make pictures that can be viewed on a computer screen or printed onto special film.

The proposed advantage of digital mammograms is that fewer patients may need to be called back for more pictures. This is because the images can be enhanced by the computer. The doctor can zoom in and magnify various areas of the breast, thereby reducing the need for more x-rays. If problems should arise, the mammogram can be sent to another site for review by other physicians.

Mammograms are recommended yearly for women age 40 or older. For women in this same age group, annual clinical breast exams by a health care professional are also useful for the early detection of breast cancer. For women younger than 40, clinical breast exams should be performed every three years, unless the woman is at high risk for developing breast cancer.

The risk factors for breast cancer are:

• Increasing age
• Family history of breast cancer in mother, sister or daughter
• History of large doses of radiation before the age of 30
• History of non-cancerous or precancerous conditions such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ