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YOUR HEALTH: A way to avoid biopsies to detect breast cancers

Researchers are looking at a new way to confirm cancer faster during a mammogram while reducing the need for additional testing.

CHICAGO, Illinois – Researchers are trying to find a way to cut down on biopsies for women who may have breast cancer.

It's a terrifying moment for any woman.

A doctor says they have found something during her mammogram.

"Many women are recalled unnecessarily, which causes anxiety.  'Do I have cancer or not?'," explained Karen Drukker, a research associate professor at the University of Chicago.

An abnormal finding on the mammogram can lead to a biopsy, which can be invasive.

A majority of the time, the finding turns out to be benign.

That's why researchers are studying a new technique called three-compartment breast imaging, or 3-CB.

"That is imaging, x-ray imaging that uses x-rays of multiple energies so that you can characterize the tumor and tissue," said Maryellen Giger, a University of Chicago radiology professor.

1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her lifetime.

"It can measure the three compartments of breast tissue, which are water, lipid, and protein," said Drukker.

By measuring these components and using an artificial intelligence method developed by Professor Giger called mammography radiomics, the team can find different digital characteristics to help distinguish a cancerous tumor from a non-cancerous one.

They tested this technique on more than 100 patient mammograms.

"We were able to reduce the number of biopsies by about 30%," said Drukker.

While also increasing the ability to predict cancer from 32% to 50% compared to visual interpretation alone.

You want to reduce the number of biopsies because they're traumatic to the woman. - Maryellen Giger

An added benefit is that this technique is not invasive.

The team is able to get all this extra information with only a 10% additional dose of radiation during the mammogram.

Further testing still needs to be done before this technique can be available to patients.

The next step for the team is to study this technique on 3-D mammograms.

If this story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Jim Mertens at jim.mertens@wqad.com or Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com.

 

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