Can This Easy Test Really Detect Breast Cancer?

Based on a new discovery, a simple blood test may be available one day to detect breast cancer.

What if there was an easy way to find out if you had breast cancer that didn’t involve having a mammogram? Would you be interested in knowing more about it?

A new scientific breakthrough may make it possible one day that breast cancer could be detected simply by getting a blood test. While we’re still a long way from that becoming a reality, scientists recently found a set of breast cancer biomarkers in breast milk. These biomarkers may also be detectable in blood serum. This means that sometime in the future, we may be able to screen for those biomarkers using a blood test.

How will these findings affect the future of breast cancer screenings?

Although news of this scientific discovery is very exciting because it opens the possibility for easier and more widespread screenings for breast cancer in the future, it’s far too soon to cancel your mammogram appointment.

The study only tested breast milk samples from a small sample of women with and without breast cancer. Results showed there were differences among the two groups in some proteins previously shown to play a role in cancer or tumor development. These findings will now need to be tested on a larger group of women. If the results are confirmed, tests will then need to be done to determine if the differences in biomarkers found in breast milk are also found in blood serum.

Are there already blood tests that test for breast cancer?

Although there are no blood tests that are widely used to detect breast cancer in the general population, there are currently blood tests used by doctors that identify cancer/tumor markers in people suspected or known to have breast cancer. These tests help doctors diagnose breast cancer, assess how cancer responds to treatment or determine if cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Doctors may use these tests to make decisions about treatment options, but they are not always conclusive. There are risks and benefits to these tests and you should talk to your doctor about whether they are right for you.

What should you do now to determine if you have breast cancer?

The most widely accepted breast cancer screening is still a mammogram. These are available in both 2D and 3D formats, with the latter appearing to find more breast cancers. 3D mammograms are more expensive and may not be covered by your insurance, but it is worth looking into whether they are.

The American Cancer Society® recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer get mammograms every year from ages 45 to 54. After that, women can get mammograms every other year or can continue with annual mammograms. The ACS also suggests that women ages 40 to 44 have the option to begin getting mammograms if they want. If you are at an increased risk for breast cancer, it may be recommended that you begin screenings earlier or have mammograms more often.

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Date Last Reviewed: August 12, 2022

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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