Ductal Lavage – An Effectual Adjunct For Breast Cancer Detection – Part II

Ductal Lavage is suggested solely for those women that are at heightened risk of developing breast cancer. There are numerous reasons that puts a woman at increased risk of getting breast cancer that comprise of the following:

• Those women with a personal past of breast cancer or family past of breast cancer, especially noted in the sibling, mother or sister.
• Indication of a particular BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutation.
• Those that have a Gail index scoring of at least 1.7%. The Gail index takes into account risk elements like age, family past of breast cancer, the age of the foremost menstrual period, the initial pregnancy and the number of biopsies done on the breasts to analyse a woman’s likelihood of getting breast cancer in the subsequent span of five years.

Even when atypical cells do get diagnosed, not all of them are ordained to develop into cancer. Abnormal cells are among those cells which have started to undergo alteration and are more likely to become cancerous. By gaining knowledge of the presence of these atypical cells, one can work in unison with one’s doctor so as to chart a course of actions to aid in decreasing the chances of getting breast cancer.

The plan of action could comprise of:

• Increasing the frequency of undergoing clinical breast exams.
• Taking medicines like tamoxifen that decreases the likelihood of breast cancer.
• Surgical intervention for removal of the affected breast prior to cancer developing known as prophylactic mastectomy.

Majority of women don’t perceive the ductal lavage procedure to be uncomfortable, finding it almost as painful as a mammogram. One might experience a transitional sense of fullness, feeling pinched and a prickling in the breast. However anaesthetizing medications are employed to aid in allaying the pain during the procedure.

Ductal Lavage is not an alternate to Mammogram for breast cancer screening, but rather as an add-on to general health practices like breast self examinations, yearly clinical examinations and mammograms. Additionally, ductal lavage is not suggested for those women that are at low risk of getting breast cancer.

With minimal risks in its offing, the ductal lavage might in rare occasions lead to the development of an infection at the location where the catheter is inserted. There could be a rare possibility of perforation or piercing the milk duct and normally causes no long-lasting harm to the breast.

Read more at: Ductal Lavage – An Effectual Adjunct For Breast Cancer Detection – Part I

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