Two NE Ohio doctors developing new way to screen for breast cancer

Two Northeast Ohio doctors may have found a better way to screen for breast cancer. (Source: "Doctors aim to improve breast cancer screening," Beacon Journal, Dec. 18, 2007.) Current breast screening methods are not overly precise, resulting in nearly eight out of every 10 breast cancer biopsies coming back as benign. But a new type of screening that relies on air pressure, lasers and digital imaging may reduce the need for some of these biopsies. Created by Dr. Richard Barr, a Youngstown radiologist and professor of radiology at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacology, and Dr. C. William Loughry, a retired Akron City Hospital surgeon, the procedure known as ultrasound elasticity imaging gauges "how much the breast tissue moves when pushed, and if a lump is present, how hard it is."  In about half the cases, the elasticity ultrasound may be able to say whether the lump is benign or cancerous. In the other cases, the women would still need a biopsy. Barr said this procedure won't replace mammography but "is another tool to use.'' The concept is being developed in conjunction with Siemens Medical Systems and the next step is an international study of the procedure.