Spring 2003

New Study Tests for Early Detection of Breast Disease: Ductal Lavage

Ductal lavage is a new way to collect cells from inside milk ducts. These ductal cells can be looked at to see if they have abnormal changes. Since most breast cancers start in the milk ducts, the ductal lavage test is an exciting new tool that may be useful for the early detection of breast disease. Johns Hopkin’s investigators took part in a recent multicenter trial of 427 women at increased risk of breast cancer who underwent ductal lavage.¹The study showed that ductal lavage can collect an adequate numbers of cells to use for diagnosis in 78% of the women. The meaning of detecting abnormal cells or normal cells by ductal lavage is still not understood at this time.

MACGN is participating in a new research study to evaluate whether ductal lavage is useful as a screening test for the early detection of breast disease. The test involves massaging the breast or using a nipple pump to obtain fluid from the opening of the milk duct. A thin catheter is placed into the milk duct and the duct is washed with a small amount of sterile fluid. The cells collected will be evaluated using a “pap smear” like test. An anesthetic cream is used to numb the breast before and during the test to decrease any discomfort.

The study will be done to answer a number of questions. Some of these questions are:

1) Can ductal lavage be used to detect abnormal breast disease? 2) Can the test be successfully repeated? and 3) Will women find the ductal lavage test acceptable?

We will evaluate the ductal lavage test in women at high-risk for developing breast cancer and women scheduled for breast aspiration or biopsy.

The Principle Investigator of this study is Kathy Helzlsouer, M.D., M.H.S. and the Program Coordinator is Deborah Santor, M.S.W., PA- C. To learn more about the details of the study, call Deborah Santor, PA-C at (443) 287-6144.

¹Data presented at the 23^rd Annual Breast Cancer Symposium, December 2000.

Inheritance of Colon Cancer: A Sibling Pair Study

This multi-center colorectal cancer research study is designed to identify new genes that cause inherited colon cancer. The study will compare genetic material from brothers and sisters who have had colon cancer.

Eligible candidates must:

· be 20 years of age or older,

· have a confirmed diagnosis of colon cancer,

· have a living affected sibling with colon cancer who is willing to participate,

· not have a known colon cancer syndrome, e.g. hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis, juvenile polyposis, or Peutz Jeghers syndrome

Participants will:

· complete a questionnaire,

· provide a blood sample,

· give permission to obtain a stored tissue sample from their surgery,

· sign a consent to participate form

If you think your family may be eligible for this study, please contact:
Jill Trimbath, M.S., Study Coordinator
(410) 614-4038; Jtrimba1@jhmi.edu