We can control it and in some cases even reverse it. With this approach in mind, Love is most excited about her research in ductal lavage, a technique inspired by Pap smear inventor George Papanicolou. According to Love, all breast cancers start in the lining of the milk ducts. In ductal lavage, a small catheter is inserted about a half-inch into the duct. Cells that are atypical provide us a wealth of information and are at an early enough stage that we may be able to reverse them.
Early detection is critical when treating cancer.
Experts estimate that by the time a breast tumor becomes visible, it already has been there 8-10 years. Women with atypical cells have a fivefold risk of breast cancer, so identifying patients with atypical cells is crucial. Knowing whether you have atypical cells and other risk factors will also help doctors and patients better decide whether or not a woman should go on hormone replacement therapy, which elevates estrogen levels that have been linked to increased breast cancer risk. The hope is that researchers will be able to use ductal lavage to conduct more prevention research. If a treatment works, we'll be able to measure it.