Early Breast Cancer Detection

Most women are familiar with mammography as our "gold standard" for
breast cancer screening. However, there are additional tools available
that women can add to their arsenal.

One of the most effective tools in breast cancer screening is breast
self-exam (BSE). However, BSE works best when women are appropriately
trained in the procedure, and then followed-up with annual clinical
breast exams (CBE) from their physicians. In a 2000 University of
Toronto study, approximately 20,000 women were screened for breast
cancer with BSE and annual CBE, and 20,000 were screened with BSE and
mammograms. After more than 10 years, the BSE and annual CBE reported
610 cases of invasive breast cancer, and 105 deaths. In the BSE and
mammogram group, there were 622 cases of invasive breast cancer and
107 deaths. Without question, the first line of defense against breast
cancer begins with diligent BSE.

Other tools that are available to women include the AMAS (anti-
malignan antibody screen) test and the NMP Nuclear matrix protein)
test. Both these are blood tests that measure a certain protein in the
blood that may indicate cancer. The AMAS test has been around for
several years while the NMP test has not been available until only
recently. Clinical trials continue in this area.

One additional tool that may detect an issue early is digital infrared
thermal imaging or DITI. In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as an
adjunctive tool for breast cancer screening. DITI measures heat
emitted from the body and is accurate to 1/100th of a degree. DITI
examines physiology, NOT structure. It is in this capacity that DITI
can monitor breast HEALTH over time and alert a patient or physician
to a developing problem; possibly before a lump can be seen on X-ray
or palpated clinically. There are no test limitations such as breast
density. DITI is a non-invasive test that does not emit radiation.

The unique characteristics of cancer allow DITI to detect breast
cancer at an earlier stage of growth. As cancer is developing, it
builds its own blood supply which is then reflected as increased heat
in that particular region of the breast. DITI has a specificity of
83%; which reflects a

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This information is waaaay out of date.