TECHNOLOGY
Circulating tumor cells Researchers have found that in many women with breast cancer , cells break away from the tumor and enter the blood . These circulating tumor cells can be detected with sensitive lab tests . While these tests may be able to predict which patients may go on to have their cancer return , it isn ’ t clear that the use of these tests will help patients live longer .
Scintimammography ( molecular breast imaging )
New imaging methods are being studied for evaluating abnormalities . In scintimammography , a slightly radioactive tracer called technetium sestamibi is injected into a vein . The tracer attaches to breast cancer cells and is detected by a camera .
“ New imaging methods are being studied for evaluating abnormalities .”
Some radiologists believe it may be helpful in looking at suspicious areas found by regular mammograms , but the exact role remains unclear .
Current research is aimed at improving the technology and evaluating its use in specific situations such as in the dense breasts of younger women . Some early studies have suggested that it may be almost as accurate as more expensive MRI scans .
Vitamin D A recent study found that women with early-stage breast cancer who were vitamin D deficient were more likely to have their cancer recur in a distant part of the body and had a poorer outlook . More research is being done to confirm this finding , however , and it is not yet clear if taking vitamin D supplements would be helpful .
New chemotherapy drugs A drug class called PARP inhibitors has been developed that targets cancers caused by BRCA mutations . This class of drugs has shown promise in clinical trials treating breast , ovarian and prostate cancers that had spread and were resistant to other treatments . Further studies are
10 October 2015