Patent ID: 8133737

Claim:
A method of screening a patient for breast cancer or for elevated breast cancer risk, comprising: providing a solid support configured to receive a volume of breast aspirate fluid from the patient; wherein the volume of breast aspirate fluid is obtained from a breast duct of a patient; wherein the volume of breast aspirate fluid is obtained at least in part by the application of suction within or along the breast of the patient; wherein the solid support comprises an aldehyde detecting agent; and detecting a change in a detectable property produced by contacting the volume of breast aspirate fluid to the aldehyde detecting reagent on the solid support; wherein the detection of a change in a detectable property produced by treating the breast fluid with the aldehyde detecting reagent compared to a control is indicative of a patient having breast cancer or elevated breast cancer risk; and wherein the volume of breast aspirate fluid does not undergo pretreatment or modification before being placed on the solid support.