How detecting breast cancer could be as simple as breathing

A new tool being tested at the IWK could make detecting breast cancer as easy as taking a breath.

There’s a new, non-invasive tool at IWK Health in Halifax with a goal of detecting breast cancer earlier through breathing.

“In every breath that you take or that you breathe out, there are several different compounds created by different processes within the body,” said surgical oncologist Dr. Ashley Drohan.

Drohan is also the co-director of the IWK Health’s Breast Health Research Unit, which has now joined a study to see if a breath test could diagnose breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms.

“This machine is able to analyze those different compounds and look for patterns within the amount of those compounds and potentially that could be associated with a breast cancer,” she said.

The study will include women between the ages of 40 to 74 with no prior breast cancer history who will be undergoing a standard breast biopsy or MRI at the IWK. Researchers will then compare the breath profiles of people with breast cancer and those without.

“If this does work, that could obviously be a gamechanger for patients and physicians,” said Drohan.

‘Enhance a diagnosis’

This test is not meant to replace mammograms.

“We know mammograms are a great screening tool to identify breast cancer,” said Drohan. “We’re looking for a non-invasive test that potentially could be used alongside mammograms to enhance a diagnosis and early detection.”

While the wait for mammograms can sometimes be long, having this new option could help speed up the process.

“That’s the hope that we can continue to identify different tests that help us use our system more efficiently and effectively for the entire population,” she said.

The IWK is only the second Canadian site to join the study – the other is in Moncton.

“This study that we’re undertaking with IWK, and others is focused on early breast cancer detection for the 50 per cent of women that have dense breast tissue because our research indicates mammography does not perform as well in this subgroup of women,” said Breathe BioMedical CEO Bill Dawes.

The study uses technology created by New Brunswick-based Breathe BioMedical.

“This test, we believe, is so accessible. It can be in mobile settings, it can be in pharmacy settings, it can be at your general practitioner’s office or your OBGYN’s office. That’s our someday vision,” said Dawes.

The clinical research trial is still in the early stages. Women who meet the criteria will be invited by the IWK to participate if they are interested.

Additionally, the IWK said if someone wants more information or thinks they may be eligible, they can email [e-mail].

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