HALO Pap test for the breast to be featured in a healthcare talk show

Sep 11 2009

The HALO Pap Test for the Breast -- which helps assess a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer -- will be featured this Friday Sept. 11 on the popular daytime healthcare talk show by co-host Lisa Masterson, MD, an ob/gyn in Santa Monica, Calif.

“Having Dr. Masterson discuss HALO on national TV provides a tremendous opportunity to spread the word to women about the importance of understanding and managing breast cancer risk. Risk management is a critical step toward reducing breast cancer incidence and death rates,” said John Stroh, president and CEO of NeoMatrix, which makes the HALO system.

HALO is FDA-cleared for the collection of nipple aspirate fluid for cytological evaluation. Like the Pap test for cervical cancer, HALO looks for cellular changes years before breast cancer might develop. Multiple studies have shown that if a woman has abnormal cells in the breast ducts, she has a 4-5 times greater risk of developing breast cancer in the future.

Early detection of breast cancer is the key to improved survival, yet 70 percent of diagnosed women have no identifiable risk factors other than age. In fact, 8 out of 9 diagnosed with breast cancer have no direct relatives with the disease. Risk assessment with HALO enables women and clinicians to take control of breast health. Designed for women age 25 and older, the simple, 5-minute test is typically performed as part of the annual well-woman visit in a physician’s office.

HALO is not intended to diagnose breast cancer or replace regular screening mammography or breast exams. It is a tool that helps identify women with precancerous changes who have a high risk of developing breast cancer in the future. All women, regardless of their risk assessment, should undergo routine screening as recommended by their healthcare provider.

http://www.neomatrix.com/