Early Breast Cancer Detection

Early Detection
By Brenda Witt

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

One of the most effective tools in 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 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 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 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

Scientists find a gene that makes cancer spread (Reuters)
Reuters - A single gene appears to play a crucial role in deadly breast cancers, increasing the chances the cancer will spread and making it resistant to chemotherapy, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Diet tied to survival in breast cancer patients (Reuters)
Reuters - Women with early-stage breast cancer may live longer if they maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, a new study suggests.
Genes Predict Chances of Breast Cancer's Spread (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 1 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that could help doctors fine-tune breast cancer treatments even further, a new study confirms that there are genes that increase the likelihood that the disease will spread throughout a woman's body.
High Insulin May Boost Odds of Breast Cancer (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Women with high levels of insulin in their blood appear to be more likely to develop breast cancer than those with lower insulin levels.
High insulin levels may increase breast cancer risk (Reuters)
Reuters - Data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study show that higher than normal insulin levels are an independent risk factor for breast cancer.
Trying to prevent lymphedema after breast cancer (AP)
AP - Hospitals in about a dozen states are testing whether some simple steps, such as arm-strengthening exercises, could reduce the risk of one of breast cancer's troubling legacies — the painful and sometimes severe arm swelling called lymphedema. Lymphedema has long been a neglected side effect of cancer surgery and radiation: Many women say they never were warned, even though spotting this problem early improves outcomes.
Cancer Medicine Advances on Many Fronts (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- The war against cancer gathered steam in 2008, as new drugs tackled the toughest cancers with some success, and advances were made in both disease prevention and risk factor identification.
British woman to deliver baby screened for breast cancer (AFP)
AFP - A woman is to give birth this week to the first baby in Britain which has been selected to be free of a gene which greatly increases the risk of breast cancer, experts said.
Obesity raises risk of cancer-related lymphedema (Reuters)
Reuters - Painful swelling of the arm or shoulder area following treatment for breast cancer -- a condition called lymphedema - is more common in women who are overweight or obese than in women of normal weight, researchers have found.
Marital Distress May Affect Breast Cancer Recovery (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Marriage problems are associated with poorer outcomes for women with breast cancer, a new U.S. study finds.

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 problem
in its early stages of development not late-stage cancer as in
mammography. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10-times greater
risk for cancer and a persistently abnormal thermogram carries a
22-times greater risk for cancer.

Clinical research studies continue to support thermography’s
role as an adjunctive tool in screening and the
ONLY tool that measures breast health over time. There are now
more than 800 publications on over 300,000 women in clinical
trials. A recent finding published in the American Journal of
Radiology in 2003 showed that thermography has 99% sensitivity
in identifying with single examinations and
limited views. Scientists concluded that a negative thermogram
is powerful evidence that cancer is not present.

Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance
companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For
more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go
to www.proactivehealthonline.com.

About the Author: Brenda is co-owner of Proactive Health
Solutions and is a certified thermographer in Southern
California. She is certified by the American College of Clinical
Thermology.

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