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http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/07/12/hlsa0712.htm

American Medical News

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Cancer detection revolution
Research is moving ahead on many fronts, and a new report is drawing attention to cancer survivors' needs.
By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. July 12, 2004.
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Washington -- Intriguing new technologies that allow researchers to peer into the core of cells and detect cancer at its earliest stages hold great promise for personalizing treatment.

For example, cancer biomarkers, molecular profiles and molecular imaging could one day revolutionize breast cancer detection, says a report released June 10 by the Institute of Medicine. But instead of competing with mammography to detect cancer, the new techniques will need to be linked with imaging information to define tumor size and location, according to the report "Saving Women's Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis."

"Improving and increasing the use of current mammography technology is the most effective strategy we have right now for further reducing the toll of breast cancer," said Panel Chair Edward Penhoet, PhD, director of science and higher education programs at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in San Francisco.

While the new technologies could provide more personalized screenings and identify women at greatest risk for breast cancer, it is yet to be seen if these technologies will yield results that can replace mammograms.

Meanwhile, there is a need to increase the numbers of medical personnel who can interpret mammograms, the report noted. More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, and more than 40,000 women will die from it.

But there aren't enough breast imaging specialists to keep up with the demand. Heavy regulation, fear of lawsuits and low reimbursement are driving radiologists away.