Mammograms have been around since the 1920’s and have saved countless lives through early detection of breast cancer. For that we should all be thankful. But, like most medical exams, you just don’t hear many women come away saying that they should do that more often. Truth is, according to my wife, the procedure is a bit uncomfortable.
For that reason a recent invention may make screening for breast cancer a little less traumatic. Called the Halo Breast Pap Test, the testing device as I understand it, is something akin to a breast pump.
It functions as just that, a breast pump. It pumps fluid from the milk ducts which is then tested in a lab for any abnormalities that could indicate cancer. It has about the same accuracy of detecting early cancer as a mammogram, about 80%. That’s the good news.
The one thing I see missing is that with a mammogram, a tumor or cancerous beginning is located. With the new Halo test, you may know if you have cancer, but you still won’t know where it is. The only way to see what’s really going on is a followup mammogram. And then what if the two tests disagree?
I think overall this is a good thing. The more non invasive ways we have to detect early stage cancer, the more women will be inclined toward testing, and more lives can be saved.
Bottom line. From a life insurance standpoint, if cancer is found on a self exam, mammogram, or the new Halo PAP test, at an early stage and grade, mission accomplished. Early detection is the key to survival and early stage and low grade are the key to a quick road to low life insurance rates.
My 20 years of experience give me the knowledge and leverage to find reasonably-priced life insurance for people who have been declined or are paying more than they need to. 
Dear Mr. Hinerman,
Thanks for the HALO posting, and how did you ever hear about us? We’re so new and relatively small, you must really have your eyes and ears open.
I wanted to clarify one misconception about the HALO Breast Pap Test. It is not intended to diagnose cancer, but instead is focused on finding precancerous cells years before cancer might develop, enabling the possibility of preventing the cancer.
HALO works along the same model as the cervical Pap test, which is credited with over an 80% reduction in cervical cancer deaths since its introduction in the 1950s. The cervical Pap looks for precancerous cells in the lining of the cervix. In fact, the same Dr. Papanicalao who discovered the cervical Pap test also discovered the basis for our Breast Pap Test during the same time frame. Since then, multiple researchers have confirmed that women with atypical cells in the breast ducts, where almost all breast cancers start, are 400-500% more likely to develop breast cancer than the average. Until HALO, there was no practical way to sample breast duct cells in a busy office setting, so it has remained a topic for the research setting only.
The care path for women with abnormal cells in their breast ducts would include preventive measures, such as lifestyle changes, changes in hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, and in certain cases a chemopreventive like Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer by 86% in women with atypical breast duct cells. In addition to these preventive measures, women with atypia may enter a high risk surveillance program including more frequent monitoring and enhanced imaging.
I really benfitted from reading your entire newsletter and appreciate how cuting edge it is. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Shari Sandberg
Director of Marketing
NeoMatrix
949-753-7844 X114