HALO Breast Pap exam can detect atypical, pre-cancerous cells

With a new test called HALO Breast Pap, obstetricians and gynecologists with Physicians' Primary Care of Southwest Florida are now able to look into the future, predict who will get breast cancer and begin preventive treatment.

"It's working out great for us," said Dr. Kevin Fleishman. The test, which takes about five minutes, works much like a breast pump, applying suction, warmth and lubrication to the breast, he explains. "We do this to see if we get any fluid."

If there is no fluid in the milk ducts, the breast is fine. If there is fluid, it's sent to a pathologist for analysis to see if there are any atypical glandular cells. Those with pre-cancerous cells have a six to eight times greater chance of developing breast cancer.

In 2007, more than 180,000 Americans were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 died from the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, there were more than 11,000 Floridians diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,700 died. Fleishman said 95 percent of all breast cancers originate in the milk ducts.

"It takes about 10 years for breast cancer to develop before it is detected by a mammogram," he said. The HALO Breast Pap can pick up atypical glandular cells before they becomes cancer. Fleishman said preventative treatment might include maintaining a healthy weight, exercise and medication.

Atypical glandular cells are typically found in about 1 percent of the population, Fleishman said, adding that although he has done about 100 HALO Breat Pap tests, he has not yet found any in his patients.

The HALO Breast Pap exam equipment costs about $5,000 and sits on a cart that can be rolled in and out of examination rooms. Although the exam is FDA approved, insurance companies do not yet cover the cost, so patients wishing to have the test done have to pay $99.

Fleishman said the test can be done annually for women ages 25 and older, and that it can be especially helpful for younger women who are not yet having mammograms done.