Breast Cancer affects one in every eight women in the United States, and early detection significantly increases chances of survival. Women diagnosed with stage I of stage II breast cancer have a five-year survival rate of 93 percent, according to the American Cancer Society; That's compared to 72 percent for those diagnosed at stage III and 22 percent at stage IV.
For this reason, researchers around the world are striving to develop a variety of early detection tools. One exciting potential tool is a blood test that could reveal the presence of various cancers. Mutations in the genetic code - the body's instruction book - can generate the growth of abnormal masses of cells. These tumors release telltale fragments of genetic sentences and words that could be used as clues to identify the culprit: cancer.
Another tool is one you may be more familiar with: 3D mammography. In tradition 2D mammography, the machine takes pictures from two sides of the breast and creates a flat image. In 3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, the scanner swivels in an are, taking several images and synthesizing them into a three-dimensional model. Radiologists examine the model layer y layer, like a deck of cards, to peek behind structures with breast tissue and search for elusive tumors. Through #d mammography has been in use for a few years, there is still much to learn about its role and effectiveness in detecting certain types of breast cancer.
Naturally, health care research requires the collaboration of numerous organizations, physicians and individuals. The Southwest Medical Imaging Research Institute in dedicated to enhancing health by investigating the role of medical imaging in diagnosing and treating diseases. SMIL is excited to be involved in four current breast imaging studies. Beloware details about each trial and how you can learn more about potentially joining studies that could help diagnose and treat future generations of women.
Breast Imaging Studies
Toray (Principal investigator Ronald Korn, MD, PhD - SMIL Oncology & Nuclear Medicine)
Toray Industries has developed a sensitive new blood test that may identify genetic markers circulating in the blood that could identify women who are high risk for having breast cancer. This is a pilot study to determine if this blood test can be used to predict the risk of a breast biopsy being positive for breast cancer in women who have breast imaging suspicious for cancer and who have been referred for a breast biopsy. The study will analyze serum miRNA (mircoRNA) in the blood. Participating in this study involves one blood draw within 30 days prior to breast biopsy, of about two teaspoons of blood. If interested or to learn more, please contact 480-425-4271.
STRIVE (Principal Investigator Sarah Palestrant, MD - SMIL Breast Imaging)
The STIVE research study aims to see if a blood test can detect breast cancer earlier than traditional screening methods. Current methods, while vastly improving early diagnosis, can lead to unnecessary invasive testing or missed cancers. This multicenter study, sponsored by GRAIL, aims to enroll 120,000 women at the time of mammographic screening from clinical centers over 15 months, collecting imaging data for at least 30 months and outcomes data for at least five years. SMIL is participating in this stud t along with Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Sarah Cannon, and Sutter Health. GRAIL, Inc. Is hoping the STRIVE research study can help detect breast cancer breast cancer early, when it can be cured. For more information, please visit www.joinSTRIVE.com, or contact the study team at STRIVE@esmil.com or 480-425-4170
TMIST (Principal Investigator Denise Reddy, MD - SMIL Breast Imaging)
The TMIST (Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial) research will follow women already planning to get screened routinely for breast cancer, to share data from their screening tests and other possible follow-up data with researchers so that hey they may analyze the information. The two standard mammography methods being compared in TMIST are three-dimensional (3D) tomosynthesis mammography and two dimensional (2d) digital mammography. Researchers dimply do not know at this time whether one method is better than the other at finding life-threatening breast cancers, and the TMIST study whether tomosynthesis should replace digital mammography for breast cancer screening. In this instance. The protocol calls for SMIL to follow subjects for five years. To learn more, please contact 480-425-4191
Brevera Biopsy System
The recently FDA-cleared Brevera Breast Biopsy System combines tissue acquisition, real-time imaging, verification, and advanced tissue handling. Hologic has selected SMIL as a Clinical Education Site to evaluate the System. With that, they have contracted SMIL to conduct a post-market (phase IV) evaluation of the machine - including thoughts and perceptions from the radiologists and technicians on safe and effective use. This will be done with high level survey questions on timing, workflow, and preference completed by the radiologist and technician for standard of care exams.
"I felt like I was important patient rather than just the next job, I really appreciate the great job and professionalism." - SMIL Research Patient
"The team made the whole experience as convenient and pleasant as possible." -SMIL research patient
"I hope I'm able to deal with the same great people if I qualify for another study." - SMIL research patient
"Everyone here is great. I have not known them for very long, but they feel like family." - SMIL research patient
