Another interesting approach to diagnosis
Another interesting approach to diagnosis A place for fiber diffraction in the detection of
breast cancer?
Veronica J. James PhD, Research School of Chemistry,
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200,
Australia
Abstract
Aims: To review the potential relevance and the place
that a particular change in the fibre diffraction of
hair might have in the future management of breast
cancer and other pathologies. Method: A comprehensive
overview was obtained using a complete search of the
Australian National University Library (data range)
and Medline (data range) using the search terms
“review breast cancer screening/diagnosis/detection
and “X-ray diffraction of hair. Publications in the
past 5 years were selected but older reports that were
commonly referenced were not excluded. Results: To
date, our results have demonstrated that a specific
change occurs in the diffraction pattern of hair for
persons with breast cancer. Further research has shown
that this change is present in the hair at an earlier
stage of the cancer growth than is detectable by
mammography. In addition, the change has been found to
disappear when the cancer has been successfully
removed. Discussion/conclusion: This technology uses
only a few hairs, is totally user-friendly,
non-invasive and does not require the patient to be
exposed to any radiation. As a low-risk procedure, it
could potentially provide a much needed,
cost-effective early screening test for the presence
of breast cancer in women of any age. As the patients
are not required to be present during the test, it
could also provide a testing service for women in
remote areas. In this review, the origin of the
diffraction pattern and the diagnostic information
that can be gleaned from it are outlined.