Though current techniques such as clinical breast examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography have proven effective, they are sometimes unable to detect breast tumors until a later stage of development and may have high false-positive rates that result in needless surgical biopsies, according to the organization’s press release. Research has shown mammography to have reduced sensitivity in women with dense breast tissue and in those who have an elevated risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers funded by the BCRP are looking into subharmonic imaging (SHI) and molecular breast imaging (MBI) as alternatives to MRI that would increase the rate of early detection; they are also investigating using nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis. Though they have better sensitivity than ultrasound or mammography, MRI techniques are costly and require great expertise to be interpreted accurately. MBI, which involves the use of specialized gamma cameras detecting the uptake of a radiotracer in breast disease, would be preferable to mammography and MRI techniques because it is not affected by breast density, is less expensive than MRI, and requires a less complicated interpretation.
''Early detection of breast cancer greatly improves a patient’s treatment options and survival,'' said Dr. Martin Tornai, associate professor in the Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. ''With this in mind, imaging research funded by the BCRP examines ways to improve on existing imaging technology as well as develop new imaging techniques for the early detection of breast cancer.''
The international Era of Hope meetings draw some 1,600 clinicians, scientists, policymakers, breast cancer advocates and survivors, and members of the public together to discuss the most recent discoveries in breast cancer research and the new directions the research will be taking in the future.
The meeting also discussed how new research shows that breast cancer stem cells can originate in other locations in the body and presented studies that explore the stem cell differences between white and African American women and the risk factors in Hispanic women. Also featured was research involving synergies of new combination therapies to suppress advanced breast cancers and new approaches to identify therapeutic targets and compounds to prevent or reduce breast cancer metastasis.
The second-largest source of breast cancer research in the US, the BCRP has received more than $2 billion in congressional appropriations since it was conceived in 1992. Since then more than 11,000 abstracts have been published, more than 400 licensures and patents have been issued, and more than 10,000 publications have been produced.
