Clinical research may have a new, more effective method of detecting breast cancer!
Screening is the First Step to Healing
*Door Opens*
“Hey Dr. Brown.”
“Hi, Mrs. Smith… How are you doing today?”
“I’m doing well. How about yourself?”
“Good, thank you. Mrs. Smith, I don’t want beat around the bush, but I was able to look at your biopsy results this afternoon… You have stage II breast cancer in your left breast. I know this is difficult to hear, and I’m so sorry.”
*Tears start to fall from her face*
“However, I want you to know that this is treatable. The five-year survival rate is 93 percent. We can and we will put this in remission.”
*Sniffling*
“…… I hope you’re right. I just can’t imagine a life with cancer. I just… I need a minute.”
*Sinks onto the exam table, and buries her face in her hands*
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Sadly, a conversation like this will happen roughly 260,000 times in 2018. However, these are the conversations that start the healing process. Screening and early detection are the first steps toward saving lives, and finding a cure.
Mammograms are normally the first option for detection, but roughly 10-25 percent of tumors are still not discovered due to the density of breast tissue. But new, innovative screening technology is making its way into clinical trials.
Imagion Biosystems has developed a new possible breast cancer screening method using superparamagnetic relaxometry technology. This type of screening involves a small injection of one milligram of antibody nanoparticles that will stick to any cancer cells present within the breast or closely related areas.
If found highly successful, this new method of screening could replace mammograms due to their accuracy of detection, and prevent the need for tissue removal through biopsies.
Clinical research is trailblazing a healthier tomorrow through various avenues, but advancements in preventive and screening medical technology is progress toward a day when an office visit saying you have breast cancer is no longer a cause of tears.