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Purdue research identifying early signs of breast cancer

Human mammary gland structure created in research using a new imaging technology to reveal subtle changes in breast tissue, representing a potential tool to determine a woman's risk of developing breast cancer and to study ways of preventing the disease.
Shuhua Yue
/
Purdue University image
Human mammary gland structure created in research using a new imaging technology to reveal subtle changes in breast tissue, representing a potential tool to determine a woman's risk of developing breast cancer and to study ways of preventing the disease.

New technology developed at Purdue could detect the beginning signs of breast cancer.

Researchers from the University and Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis have created a technology that locates potentially cancerous cells in the breast at an early stage. Vibrational Spectral Microscopy detects the order and organization of lipids in cells, which one of the first things to happen in the formation of cancer.

Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences Sophie Lelievre says this technology could lead to ways to prevent further cancer development.

"It's a new era, even in pharmacology, to really focus on drugs that will be for prevention. We'll have to have different characteristics, compared to the drugs usually used for cancer treatment.”

She says the technique assesses different risk factors typically associated with the cancer and identifies if a person has them.  When the cancer is detected at an early stage with this technology, Leliever believes lives could be saved. She says this is cutting edge research being done in West Lafayette.

"Purdue is really leading international efforts to develop primary prevention research with people from very different disciplines who come together to solve the problems, and also work with colleagues from all around the world."

The research is part of Purdue’s International Breast Cancer and Nutrition project started in 2010. In addition to scientists in the United States, collaborators are in Canada, France, Ghana, Japan, Lebanon and Uruguay.