Q. Why is screening for breast cancer so important?
A. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but to date, it's
been very difficult to identify who is at risk. Traditional methods of breast cancer
screening have limiting factors. Women under the age of 40 are not usually getting
regular mammograms. For women over 40, mammograms often do not detect abnormal changes
for up to 8 years after changes have begun to take place. Mammograms are also not
as effective in women with dense breasts. HALO® is a screening tool that can
help identify women at greatest risk, sooner, allowing for earlier intervention
and increasing chances for survival.
Q. What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test?
A. A screening test allows physicians to group asymptomatic (no symptoms) patients
in different categories from low risk to high risk. A diagnostic test confirms whether
or not symptomatic (with symptoms) patients actually have a disease. HALO® is
a screening test and works much like a cholesterol screen for potential cardiovascular
disease. Just because you have high cholesterol doesn't mean you have heart disease.
Similarly, just because you have atypia does not mean you have breast cancer.
Q. Does HALO® replace mammograms?
A. No, HALO@ is a complement to mammograms. Mammograms look for lesions (cancer)
and are most effective as women age. HALO® is looking for abnormal cells, years
before they might turn into a lesion. The test is effective in women as young as
25. If you already have a growth in your milk ducts when you first have a HALO®
test, it is possible that the affected duct could be blocked so that HALO® could
not collect a fluid sample. This is why it's important to continue with routine
mammograms and breast exams.
Q. What about family history?
A. Those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer are 2 to 3 times more
likely to develop the disease. Those who have atypia are 4 to 5 times more likely
to develop breast cancer. Those who have both a family history and atypia may be
up to 18 times more likely to develop breast cancer. Screening for atypia with HALO®
will help you and your doctor identify cellular changes, closely monitor them and
develop an optimal care path.
Q. How does the HALO® BreastPap Test work?
A. HALO® combines warmth, massage and suction to bring nipple aspirate fluid
(NAF) to the surface. NAF is found in the milk ducts where 95% of all breast cancers
originate. The entire cycle is five minutes and is easily incorporated into your
Complete Well Woman Package. If you produce fluid, the sample is then sent to the
lab and analyzed for cellular changes.
Q. Who should have HALO® and how often?
A. This is an annual test for women over 25.
Q. Is the procedure painful?
A. Most women find this test easy to tolerate. In a clinical study with 500 women,
88% said they would recommend it to their friends. On a 1-10 scale, the average
discomfort rating for the HALO® was about a 4 while those same women rated their
mammogram an 8.
Q. How many women produce fluid?
A. About half of all women will produce fluid. Not producing fluid with the HALO®
test is considered a normal result, meaning you are at normal risk, not elevated
risk for developing breast cancer.
Q. What if I don't produce fluid?
A. If you don't produce fluid, this is considered a normal result. You are at normal
risk, not elevated risk for developing breast cancer.
Q. If I have atypia, does it mean I have breast cancer?
A. No. It simply means that you are at higher risk than someone without atypia.
In fact, only about 1% to 2% of women screened have atypia and often times atypia
corrects itself, especially if lifestyle changes are made such as diet, exercise
and reducing alcohol intake.
Q. What do I do if I get an abnormal result?
A. There are specific care paths for your consideration. In general, if you have
an abnormal result you will likely be referred to a breast center. The breast specialist
has several options in 3 broad categories:
- Full risk assessment questionnaire and counseling about preventive measures
- Diagnostic mammogram, Ultrasound, or MRI
- More aggressive options to include medication such as tamoxifen; procedures like
ductal lavage, ductoscopy, or ductal incisions, etc.
Q. Is HALO® FDA approved?
A. Yes, HALO® is FDA approved.
Q. Can I have a HALO® if I have breast implants?
A. It depends on the type of implant. If your incision is not around the entire
nipple, you may have the HALO®.
Q. Can I have a HALO® if I've had a breast reduction?
A. No. Breast reduction surgery blocks the milk ducts where nipple aspirate fluid
is found.
Q. Can I have a HALO® if I have a nipple ring?
A. Yes, however you must remove the ring(s).
Q. Is color of Nipple Aspirate (NAF) important?
A. No. NAF can be any color.
Find a screening location near you