If no fluid appears, ductal lavage usually is not performed. If droplets of fluid from a duct appear, a hair-thin catheter is then inserted into the milk duct s natural opening on the surface of the nipple. Saline is infused through the catheter to gently rinse the duct and collect cells. The ductal cell fluid is withdrawn through the catheter and deposited into a collection vial. The sample is sent to a laboratory to determine whether the cells are normal, atypical, suspicious or cancerous.
Several factors can determine if a woman is at higher risk for developing breast cancer.
Dr. Kurtzman encourages women to talk to their physicians about their breast cancer risk. If atypical or cancerous cells are detected through a ductal lavage procedure, physicians and patients can consider several options including closer monitoring and testing, drug therapy such as Tamoxifen, a drug that has been proven to reduce breast cancer development by 50 percent in high-risk women, as well as surgical interventions. One of the leading advocates for the development of the ductal lavage procedure is Susan Love, M.D., author of the best selling, Dr. Susan Love s Breast Book . The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service.