New noninvasive test may identify breast cancer up to eight years earlier – now available at Tahoe Women’s Care
South Lake Tahoe – Revolutionary new test detects breast cancer cells eight years earlier. And Tahoe Women’s Care is the region’s only OB/GYN practice to offer this new HALO® breast test.
Women rank breast cancer as a top concern because many breast cancers are found after the disease has been growing for years. Designed to detect abnormal cells, a HALO® test may identify precancerous breast disease up to eight years earlier than a lesion might be found on a mammogram.
Breast cancers typically originate in the ductal system. According to a recent “New England Journal of Medicine” article, “benign breast disease, which begins as abnormal cells, is an important risk factor for breast cancer. A woman with atypical cells has a four to five times greater risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not produce fluid.”
Breast fluid cytology – the science of studying cells – has been used for years to identify high risk women in research. Before this system was developed, there was no practical way to test the general population. This is the first noninvasive tool to collect breast fluid in minutes.
Tahoe Women’s Care recommends all women age 25 and older have this test. Using a combination of warmth, massage and suction, the HALO® test uses adjustable breast cups to collect fluid.
The HALO® test does not replace mammography, thermography or self exam, but identifies high risk women. About half of all women won’t secrete fluid, which puts them in the lowest risk category. For those who do have abnormal cells, Tahoe Women’s Care will monitor them closely and counsel them on lifestyle changes, and may recommend imaging options such as an MRI, ultrasound, thermography or diagnostic mammogram, or discuss other options.
A HALO® test costs $75 and is not covered by insurance. Depending on your insurance, some or all of the resulting lab tests may be covered.
For more information, call Tahoe Women’s Care in South Lake Tahoe at (530) 544-8333, in Carson City at (775) 267-6700 or visit www.bartonhealth.org/HALO. Tahoe Women’s Care is located at 1067 Fourth Street in South Lake Tahoe and at 973 Mica Drive, Suite 200 in Carson City, NV.
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