Detecting breast cancer early saves lives. For women with dense breast tissue, traditional mammograms often miss the mark. Researchers in New Brunswick are tackling this problem with a new approach. They analyze the compounds in your breath to spot cancer sooner.

Vitalité Health Network and Moncton based Breathe BioMedical lead the research. According to a recent report by CBC News, Moncton is the first Canadian site to participate in this medical study.

How the Breath Test Works

Every time you exhale, you release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Dr. Jocelyne Hébert leads the Moncton study. She explains that your body expresses different VOCs depending on what is happening inside. The research team is identifying a specific pattern of VOCs unique to patients with breast cancer.

The testing process is incredibly simple. Patients with suspicious lesions breathe into a specialized machine before undergoing a biopsy. “It is not more complicated than blowing up a balloon,” Hébert says.

Overcoming the Limits of Mammograms

This breath test offers a clear advantage for patients with high breast density. Dense tissue increases the risk of breast cancer and leads to a higher rate of false negatives during standard mammograms.

The study is in its early stages, but the preliminary data is positive. Tests identify differences in the breath signatures of women with early stage breast cancer with 88.2 percent accuracy.

Hébert plans for this technology to replace the yearly MRI for high risk patients. It provides a less invasive, highly accurate screening alternative.

A Phenomenal Step Forward

The Canadian Cancer Society expects over 32,000 Canadians to receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year. It remains the most common cancer among women in the country.

Kimberly Carson serves as the CEO of Breast Cancer Canada. She calls the Moncton study a phenomenal step forward. Catching cancer early leads to better outcomes, less invasive procedures, and prevents the disease from spreading.

“I would love to see us have no one dying of breast cancer ever,” Carson says.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the breast cancer breath test?

It is a new screening method that analyzes volatile organic compounds in a patient’s breath to detect early signs of breast cancer.

Who is conducting this research?

Vitalité Health Network and Breathe BioMedical conduct the study in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Why is this test important for women with dense breasts?

Dense breast tissue makes it difficult for traditional mammograms to detect tumors, leading to false negatives. The breath test provides an alternative screening method that does not rely on tissue imaging.

How accurate is the breath test?

Preliminary results show the test identifies early stage breast cancer breath signatures with 88.2 percent accuracy.