A trial looking at intraductal screening for women at moderate to high risk of developing breast cancer (RMNHS- 2278)

In the UK, mammograms are used to screen women over 50 to pick up early signs of breast cancer. They are also used for younger women who are at a higher risk of developing this disease.

But mammograms are not very effective for some people. For example, younger women have more dense breast tissue, making it more difficult for a doctor to interpret the mammogram. A new way of screening that is being looked at is called the ‘intraductal approach’. This includes 3 tests

• Nipple aspiration
• Ductal Lavage
• Duct endoscopy

These tests are used to get samples of fluid from the milk ducts. The breast cells in the ducts always produce a certain amount of fluid, even when the woman is not producing breast milk.

Researchers think that useful information can be gained from looking at this fluid closely. This is because the fluid is in direct contact with the cells lining the breast ducts and lobules and the lining of the breast ducts is the most common place where breast cancer develops. It is possible that looking at this fluid may pick up cancerous cells or help to decide a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer in the future.