| The FirstCyte® Breast Test
The FirstCyte Breast Test involves gently rinsing the inside of your milk ducts to collect cells. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis to determine whether the cells are normal or atypical.
What's the procedure like?
Typically, the FirstCyte Breast Test is done in your doctor's
office and takes approximately 30 minutes. The
procedure involves three (3) basic steps:
Step 1: Apply a numbing cream to the nipple
Why: To minimize discomfort during the procedure.
How: Anesthetic cream is squeezed into a flexible, adhesive cover and then placed onto your nipple. The cover keeps the cream in place and prevents it from touching your clothes. The cream stays on for about an hour. You can apply this at home before your appointment. Ask your doctor's office to supply you with the anesthetic cream.
Once the anesthetic cream is removed, the FirstCyte Breast
Test should take approximately 30 minutes.
The amount of time involved depends on your specific ductal
anatomy
and
the
number of ducts your doctor lavages. On average, 1 or 2 ducts
are lavaged. Each duct takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Self-massage and aspiration
Why: To find the ducts that produce fluid.
How: Self Massage – Using both hands, you press
inward on your breast, moving from your chest wall toward
your nipple. The massage helps move any fluid from the back
of the duct toward the nipple.
Aspiration: After you repeat the self-massage
several times, your doctor applies a small suction cup, called
an aspirator, over the nipple. The aspirator's gentle suction
draws fluid from inside your duct to the nipple surface.
How the doctor decides which ducts should be lavaged
The doctor will lavage only ducts that produce a drop of fluid in response to massage and aspiration. Studies have shown that fluid production indicates a higher risk of breast cancer development.1 Consequently, the FirstCyte Breast Test usually is performed only in ducts that produce fluid.
Although most women have 6 to 9 ducts per breast, droplets usually appear from only 1 or 2 ducts. If droplets appear, they tell the doctor which ducts to lavage, and help identify the natural opening of these ducts on the nipple surface.
If no fluid appears, the doctor usually will not lavage your
ducts. Fluid production can vary over time. Your doctor may
ask you to return at a later date to try again.
Step 3: Lavage and collection
Why: To collect the cells from your breast for analysis.
How: Lavage: Once the duct to lavage is identified, the doctor gently inserts a microcatheter – a tiny, flexible plastic tube – through the duct's natural opening on the nipple. Some anesthetic fluid is delivered through the catheter to numb the inside of the duct. Next, a sterile fluid similar to your body's own natural fluids is sent through the catheter to rinse the duct and wash out the cells.
Once the fluid fills your duct, your doctor presses inward and forward on both sides of your breast, similar to what you did earlier to massage your breast. The doctor repeats the motion several times to help move the fluid from the end of the duct toward the nipple.
Collection: As the fluid travels out, you may see it appear in the collection chamber of the microcatheter. The fluid may look milky, colored, chalky, or clear. The way it looks does not tell you anything about the test results.
The fluid from each duct is then put in a separate vial and sent to a lab to determine if your cells are normal or atypical.
Does the FirstCyte Breast Test hurt?
Most women report that it is not painful. During a
clinical study2, women rated the
level of comfort on a scale of 0-100. The median rating was
24.2 Some women who have had the
FirstCyte Breast Test describe temporary sensations such
as fullness, pinching, and tingling.
What happens after my FirstCyte Breast Test?
The FirstCyte Breast Test does not require any special follow-up care. Most women do not feel any prolonged discomfort afterwards. Some notice a mild pressure, tingling, or fullness inside the breast. These sensations are normal and should disappear within a few hours.
The chances of an infection are extremely low. However, if you notice prolonged breast redness, warmth, or severe tenderness, or experience persistent fever, contact your doctor immediately.
What do my FirstCyte Breast Test results
mean?
Your doctor will give you the results of your FirstCyte Breast Test and explain whether the cells are normal or abnormal. It is extremely important to discuss this information thoroughly with your doctor.
Inadequate cells for diagnosis
Sometimes the fluid collected does not have enough cells in it for the laboratory to analyze. Your doctor will explain this finding and discuss whether you should repeat the FirstCyte Breast Test.
Normal cells
A normal result means that no abnormal cells were found in the ducts that were lavaged.
Atypical cells
Atypical cells, collected through various methods, are known
to significantly increase breast cancer risk.1-5
However, as atypical cells are not always precancerous, this
finding does not necessarily mean that you will develop
breast
cancer.
Cancerous cells
Very rarely, the FirstCyte Breast Test finds cells that are cancerous. In this instance, your doctor may repeat the FirstCyte Breast Test, and may perform other diagnostic tests such as mammography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the results of these tests, there are different treatment options to consider. Your doctor will discuss your options with you.
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