Imagine knowing your risk for getting breast cancer long before there is a lump, just when there are some abnormal microscopic cells. Well now there is an easy test that few patients and even doctors know about.

Erin Pesquie decided to try a medical test that few people know about.  It's a 5-minute non-invasive procedure that will let her know if she is at high risk for getting breast cancer one day. 

"It's pretty innovative to be able to test something like that so far in advance that it makes sense to me.  Why not?  And it wasn't a bad test at all," says Erin.

The test is called the breast pap test  and it's done by a HALO machine that works and feels like a breast pump used by breast feeding mothers to extract milk.  It's the only one of its kind in the state. 
"This test can pick up detect abnormalities up to 7 years before you might see something on mammography so you can see potential changes in the ductile cells before you may actually see a mass. And that's what we are looking for is those changes because 95 percent of breast cancers start in the duct," says Dr. Leslie Rodrigue Internal Medicine specialist at the Center for Longevity and Wellness in Metairie.  
Through a warm massaging and suction motion the machine works to pull any fluid out of the breast. Only half of the women will produce fluid. For those who have none, they are at average-risk for breast cancer.  Those who produce fluid with normal cells are also at average risk but those who have fluid with atypical cells are flagged as being at a higher risk for one day developing breast cancer.  

"The goal of this test is to try to help discover the cancers at an early stage where we can cure and treat them," says Dr. Rodrigue. 
While this does not take the place of a regular mammogram, those who discover that they are at higher risk could change their lifestyles, such as losing weight, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol -- all known to decrease risk. They could also be more diligent in checking for lumps through self exams and mammograms. 

Erin was glad to learn that she is not at higher risk and hopes women she knows will find out if they are. 

"There's quite a few ladies at my office who told that I was going to get the test," she says.  "And then I told them about it after, but I don't see anybody beating down the door to come get it done so. But I encourage people to come get it." 

The test costs $95 and even though it was FDA approved nearly 3 years ago, insurance will not pay for the test but may pay for the lab results.  
Doctors at the Center for Longevity and Wellness in Metairie will send your lab results to your personal doctor.  Call (504) 885-7360 for more information.