Have you ever heard of HALO? And no, I don't mean that dorky science fiction video game. I mean the HALO Breast Pap Test, which apparently is a preventative test that women can take to assess their risk of breast cancer. I had never heard of it before, so when I visited the offices of Dr. Gloria Hakkarainen in West Palm Beach yesterday (to interview her for a completely unrelated subject) and saw the funny-looking machine, I was interested in learning more about it.
Dubbed the "pap test for the breast," the machine basically works like a breast pump of sorts, suctioning your breasts for about five minutes. If there is no production of "nipple aspirate fluid," or NAF, that means that you are at normal risk – not elevated risk – for developing breast cancer. If you do produce NAF, but there's no presence of atypical cells in it, then you are at slightly higher risk for developing breast cancer compared to someone who did not produce NAF. And if you produce NAF with atypical cells, this means that you are at an elevated risk for developing breast cancer. This does NOT mean that you have breast cancer or that you will develop it in the near future; however, you should be more vigilant and proactive in monitoring your breast health.
While this test does not take the place of routine mammograms and breast exams, it's comforting to know that, as women, we have more opportunities for prevention than ever before.
Learn more about HALO at www.paptestforthebreast.com.
Wow. I really wish this was around, and if it was around, offered to me, when I went to two different doctors complaining of nipple discharge 4 years prior to my breast cancer diagnosis. They told me it was nothing to be concerned about. Makes me wonder what the results would have said...
ReplyDeleteIt is so scary to think of all the young women (younger than the typical screening age) who could be walking around with breast cancer and not even know it.
Thanks so much for posting this, Jen.
Oh my gosh, Keri! That's crazy. Well apparently insurance doesn't cover this test, but it's only $95, which is not too bad to have a little peace of mind. Definitely spread the word... Hope you're doing well!
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