U-WIRE
October 30, 2007
STORRS, Conn. -- The mammogram is a fact of life for any woman above the age of twenty-five. Many women screen for breast cancer using the standard mammogram procedure or through self-examinations. A new FDA approved testing method, called the Halo Breast Pap Test, may replace the old methods of screening for breast cancer with a simple, five minute long procedure, according to Dr. Iacob Marcovici, an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing in Avon, CT.
"The breast cancer Pap test, Halo, is a recent invention, about 6 months [old], from a company in California," according to Marcovici, the first and only doctor in Connecticut to use the new test procedure.
According to their website, the company NeoMatrix designed the machine as "a fully automated, noninvasive breast disease screening device designed for use in the primary care setting."
Since early detection can be a matter of life or death, many are signing up to receive the test from Marcovici.
The test is conducted by a machine called a Halo Breast Pap Test. It looks and acts like a breast pump. Once fluid is extracted from the nipple it is then taken to a lab and tested for abnormalities, such as cancerous growth, according to Marcovici.
"The Breast Pap Test is a noninvasive screening test, easy to perform, very well accepted by the women. It is not at all painful and takes only five minutes," said Marcovici. "As a screening test, [it] has a sensitivity of about 70 to 80 percent, similar with other screening tests such as the regular pap or a mammogram. In other words, in average, all those screening test are missing about 20 percent of checked asymptomatic persons. By repeating the test, let's say once a year, the test sensitivity is expected to rise."
The test is expected to become a part of women's routine health maintenance exams in the next few years. It has an average testing time of five minutes, much shorter than most mammograms, according to Marcovici. It's considered to be much more accurate than the self-breast exam which is often touted by cancer institutes as the less evasive answer.
When asked if the test was suitable for men, who have been diagnosed with the cancer in rare cases, Marcovici said "indeed, in very rare instances, men can get breast cancer. The test is not recommended for men, as yet."
The test is not recommended for women younger than 22 years of age, since breast cancer occurs mostly in older women. Instead, the self breast exam is still expected to be the standard measure for preteens and young adults, according to Dr. Marcovici.
"Breast cancer in young women is rare, but when it happens, [it] has the tendency to be more aggressive. Advice to my young patients: a) [do] monthly self-breast examination; best time in the first week after the period is done. b) start doing the Breast Pap Test, once a year, because 80 percent of breast cancers have no known risk factors-just strikes with any warning," Marcovici said.
"Yes, I do [worry about breast cancer]," said Danique Williams, a University of Connecticut history major. "Though, it doesn't run in my family. I don't know much about it. [Sometimes I think], how am I supposed to protect myself against breast cancer? Usually I do a self-breast exam and don't worry about it."
Marcovici said he doesn't usually hold enthusiasm for promised new advances, but believes him the test shows real improvement.
"For the first time there is a noninvasive opportunity to sample the breast fluid," Marcovici said."I am preparing a research protocol as I see great potential in analyzing the cells and breast fluid. I would recommend the test for every woman age 25 to 55."
"I don't really know anything about breast cancer except that my best friend's mom died from it. I didn't know that there was a new test. I don't think most people know that there is a new test. I would probably take it instead of a mammogram," said Jeannie Shear, a 14-year-old freshman from Coventry High School.
(C) 2007 The Daily Campus via U-WIRE
