Breast cancer detection technology

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: November 5, 2008

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Q:  What was the name of the new breast cancer screening technique that was mentioned during the 5:00 pm news program? The test costs approximately $75.00 and was said to be highly effective in detecting breast problems well in advance of a regular mammogram. I couldn’t hear what the test is called, and my wife is interested in talking to her doctor about it.

Thanks.

A:  The device is called the Halo Breast Pap Test.  After I received your e-mail I checked further to see if any local doctors are offering the service.  From what I have found the closest offices that have the technology are in Maryland, Washington D.C. and South Carolina. 

I decided to consult further with one of our 10 On Your Side Health experts about whether it was worth making a trip several hours away to go through the diagnostic exam.

Dr. Bill Fintel with Blue Ridge Cancer Care says, “It is new and exciting technology to be sure, and using modern molecular examination, even better than the light microscope used in PAP smears.  But, there are many questions.”
Those questions include:

*Could there be a better way to look for tiny evidence of cancer in a woman’s body, like the bloodstream?
*How much of the breast is missed?
*What about tumors that occur far from the nipple?
*Has the implementation of this test been tested for years to see if it actually saves lives like the PAP smear and the mammogram have done?

Doctor Fintel adds that at this point driving 3 to 4 hours to get the latest thing may not provide you with the level of assurance you are looking for when it comes to detecting breast cancer in its early stages.

“Like so many other things, this is a “stay-tuned” situation, where I, as a clinician, want to see the evidence of how this test saves lives.” 

Ultimately, your wife has the right idea to talk to her physician about what is best for her individual needs.  Anything that creates awareness of breast cancer prevention and detection and causes us to seek further information benefits us all in the long run.

Halo Breast Pap Test Doctor Finder

Breast Cancer Detection contact information from Roanoke’s Komen for the Cure

Breast Cancer detection information from the American Cancer Society