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A New and Better Breast Cancer Test!

Don't wait for breast cancer -- the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women -- to strike you, or a woman you love.  By that time it may be too late -- too late to save a breast, or even to save a life!

Now, for the first time, it is possible to be pro-active and detect pre-cancer; detect cancer BEFORE it starts!

This is very important because, as one doctor put it, "by the time you can see cancer on a mammogram or feel it, it's been there 10 years." A main goal of the test is to "find problems that can still be fixed."

As a recent newspaper article explained, "women can now take a test to find the earliest signs of breast cancer long before the disease shows up on a mammogram."

This new test brings the search down to the microscopic level by looking for abnormal cells that may be evident even before they form a tumor that can be seen on a mammogram or felt during a physical exam.

Because the test was just recently approved by the FDA, it isn't performed by most doctors or even by most hospitals.  In other words, you probably have to know enough to seek out the test and know where to go.

The test is intended primarily for women at elevated risk of breast cancer.  These risk factors include:
                              Personal history of breast cancer
                              Family history – The risk is highest if two or more first-degree relatives are
                              diagnosed at an early age. Risk is still high, but somewhat less if only one
                              first-degree relative has been diagnosed.
                              First-degree family relative = Mother, sister or daughter
                              Age - Risk increases as women grow older
                              Atypical hyperplasia (abnormal cell proliferation in the ductal system)
                              Genetic factors - A small fraction (five to 10 percent) of breast cancers
                              appear to be linked to mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2
                              Previous breast biopsies
                              Early menstrual periods (earlier than age 12)
                              Late menopause (later than 55 years)
                              High-dose ionizing radiation to the chest

Yes, this test is truly different.  According to Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy, director of breast-cancer research prevention research at Baylor-Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, "the purpose of this test is to detect pre-cancer."

The author of "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book," explains that: "The real exciting thing about [this new test] is that we have access to where breast cancer starts.  You can find cells that are just thinking about being cancer."

Because of the life saving importance of this new test, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has assembled information about this new procedure including excerpts from newspaper articles, web sites which provide additional details, and even a list of more than five dozen places where you can get the test.

Please note, however, that ASH has prepared this summary page of information, including excerpts from articles and links to other web sites, for ASH members.  To find out how you can become a member of ASH on line, and to obtain access to this and other valuable information for members as well as several special gifts, please click here to learn the many benefits of joining ASH on-line.

Once you join -- which you can do conveniently on-line -- you will receive by e-mail the user name and password you need to unlock this valuable information.  Your other gifts will be sent to you by mail.

Please don't hesitate.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women, and, by the time it is detected with a mammogram or other test, it may be too late!

Your contribution to join ASH is fully tax deductible.

Once you have become a member of  ASH  you can access this information by  clicking on the following link:  ASH's Breast Cancer Test Page