Help Today, Hope Tomorrow: The Benefit of Clinical Trials

There is no question that mammograms are effective in finding tumors and reducing breast cancer deaths. They are also, however, associated with a high rate of false positives, or inconclusive results, which lead to follow-up imaging or invasive tissue biopsy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of women who have ultrasound-guided biopsy will receive a negative result.

The EarlyGuard^® Breast Test pilot study aims to catch these false positives with a simple blood test. “It may prove to be a helpful test in determining which patients are at high risk or low risk for having breast cancer, and therefore aid in the decision-making process regarding which patients need to go on and have a breast biopsy,” says radiologist Steven Scallon, MD, the study’s principal investigator.

A blood test may also reduce the anxiety many patients experience when they have to wait for the results of additional tests. And, a blood test could potentially save patients money. 

Reshil Offutt of Woodinville is one whose imaging tests led to biopsy. Her results placed her in the American College of Radiology’s Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Category 4, as suspicious for malignancy. Reshil hopes by having taken part in the study, her contribution will help women in the future avoid additional tests and stress.