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An Ultrasound Technique for Breast Cancer Detection That Could Replace Biopsies

A new ultrasound technique is helping to determine whether a patient has breast cancer. This research was presented at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, by Dr. Richard Barr, professor of radiology.

The ultrasound technique is called elastography. In an experiment involving 59 patients, they found this technique helped researchers distinguish harmless lumps from harmful (malignant) ones in 100% of cases - in other words, the technique appears to be 100% accurate. The technique correctly identified 16 out of 16 cancerous tumors and 56 out of 56 benign ones.

A further, larger study is needed to confirm the findings of this study, say the researchers. If a larger study confirms this, the fear, stress and anxiety, cost, discomfort and pain, and waiting, by thousands of women who have to undergo biopsies, could be eliminated. In the USA alone, almost one million biopsies are performed annually on suspected breast cancer patients - in 80% of cases the lumps are harmless (benign, the person does not have breast cancer).

Elastography differs from traditional ultrasound in that it also gauges movement - it can distinguish between stiff and soft tissue (soft tissue looks lighter while hard tissue looks darker).

Footnote: A biopsy is when cells are taken from the breast. A scientists looks at them under a microscope to decide whether they are cancerous or not. The cells are taken out, either with a scalpel or a needle.

Activist’s Common Sense Approach to Healthy Eating

Information we get on cancer prevention is contradictory at times which makes it easy for us to decide to do nothing at all!!! We know the scientific process is long and moves s-l-o-w-l-y. But common sense dictates if we begin to make common sense choices it will indeed enhance our health and well being. Let’s start with our diet. Eat when hungry, not starving, and please try not to eat two to three hours before bedtime. Everything now is “supersized” even our serving plates. Presentation accounts for so much of our pleasure. Therefore keep the size of the plate down and smaller portions will look attractive. Plenty of seasonal vegetables and fruits in a variety of color will certainly look tempting to eat. Recommended for our health? Nine small portions of fruit and veggies a day, multi whole grain bread, high fiber carbs like wild rice, barley and kasha. Protein? Fish, free range organic poultry and red meat in moderation. Rich colorful vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes help to maintain our normal body functions. They have a powerful and healthful effect on our energy level and overall health.

Eating healthier is just one of the eight steps every person can take to reduce the risk of disease while supporting the Precautionary Principle. Let’s define the Precautionary Principle. The most widely cited definition states, “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”

Join the Prevention Is The Cure campaign on a pathway to prevention and incorporate these simple steps:

• Support increased funding for environmental health research
• Avoid exposure to toxic pesticides and toxic cleaning products
• Avoid plastics
• Seek and use alternative products
• Avoid non-essential medical and dental x-rays
• Avoid synthetic hormones in dairy and meat
• Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables
• Engage in moderate (one hour) daily exercise

For more information on Prevention Is The Cure, visit website www.preventionisthecure.org or contact (631) 547-1518.