Jan 7, 2008 6:44 pm US/Eastern
New Technology Could Predict Breast Cancer Earlier
PHILADELPHIA (CBS4) ―
The earlier doctors find breast cancer the better chance they have of curing it. But what if you could look into the future to predict your risk of developing the disease?
Doctors in Philadelphia are looking at a breakthrough technology that could save lives.
"My mother was 48 when she passed away," said 33 year-old Salina Dorman. "My mother's sister passed away two years after that with breast cancer."
The strong family history of breast cancer has Dorman doing everything it takes to catch the disease early. "I'm coming to get my regular mammograms and coming to get ultrasounds as needed," said Dorman.
And she's testing an experimental solution that can predict when her genetic pre-disposition will turn to cancer.
It's called Oncovue, which patients say is painless.
"There's really nothing out there that predicts like this," said Dr. Thomas Frazier, a cancer researcher.
Patients swish a solution in their mouth to collect cells from the cheek.
Those cells are then analyzed in a lab.
"We take those fragments and we compare them to women who've had breast cancer and thereby we can say okay, based on your RNA and DNA fragments, you're much more likely to develop breast cancer at a specific time in your life," said Dr. Frazier.
Dr. Thomas Frazier is heading the study at the comprehensive breast center at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Using the test, Dr. Frazier can map out a plan for patients like Dorman.
The test shows she's at highest risk of developing the disease over the next 11 years.
"From 45 to 54 my risk goes down, and then it goes back up at 55 and up," said Dorman. "So, they will monitor me very closely."
"If we can find out who's at higher risk, then it will help us to follow them much more closely to detect it early," said Dr. Frazier.
For Dorman, just knowing when she needs to get screened more is a relief. "I feel more assured that I'm going to be well taken care of," said Dorman. "My mother and my aunts, my grandmother, they never had a chance to have a test like this, so it's a great opportunity."
The Bryn Mawr study is currently only being done on high risk women.
They're hoping one day it could be available for all women.
That's because doctors say anyone can get breast cancer not just those with a family history.
At this point the Oncovue test is not FDA approved but they're hoping it will be in 6 months.
To find out more about
Oncovue breast cancer test Click here.
To find a location to get the Oncovue test done click here.
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