New study in JNCI shows ductal lavage helps women learn more about their chances of developing breast cancer

WHAT: Primary investigator Dr. William C. Dooley and colleagues invite you to participate in a news briefing to discuss the results of a new study to be published in the next issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). The study examined the ability of ductal lavage to find abnormal cells inside the breast milk ducts that signal a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Researchers have known for years that 95% of breast cancers originate in the ductal system of the breast. Women with atypical milk duct cells are known to have a 4-5 times increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, until recently physicians have not had a reliable, minimally invasive way to access the cells for testing.

Ductal lavage is a minimally invasive method of collecting milk duct fluid, which is analyzed under a microscope to search for atypical, risk-increasing cells. The technique offers high-risk women another means of surveillance, and an opportunity to uncover information about their risk status, which is both real-time and unique to them. Having biological evidence of increased risk helps high-risk women and their physicians decide whether active intervention to reduce their risk is appropriate.

Please join us to hear more about this important development in the ability to assess breast cancer risk in a short teleconference and Q&A session with leading experts.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 6, 2001, 8:30a.m.-9:30a.m. CST (9:30a.m.-10:30a.m. EST)

WHERE: Please join us via teleconference by calling (800) 230-1951 Participation is free and no phone charges apply

WHO: William C. Dooley, MD, Oklahoma University Breast Institute, Oklahoma City, OK Joyce O'Shaughnessy, MD, Baylor-Sammons Cancer Center, US Oncology, Dallas, TX Judy Perotti, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization

RSVP: For more information please contact Susan Bro at 312-596-3478, susan_bro@chi.bm.com or to RSVP please contact Elly Wallin at 312-596-3526, eleanor_wallin@chi.bm.com