A New Approach to Breast Cancer Screening: A Blood Test?
Researchers in Montreal are pursuing a blood test that could do more than screen for breast cancer. The goal is to identify not only the presence of cancer but also which women are at higher risk, potentially broadening access to screening for people in remote regions and reducing the need for every woman to undergo mammography. The work is led by Dr. Saima Hassan from the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) research teams, who emphasizes the potential to tailor screening for younger women under 50.
How the Technology Works
The proposed test combines laser-based profiling of immune cells with artificial intelligence to analyze blood samples. By comparing blood from women diagnosed with breast cancer to samples from healthy individuals, the researchers train an AI system to recognize immune and biochemical signals that could indicate cancer years before traditional methods might. Over time, the system could learn to adjust its analysis for patient-specific factors such as age and ethnicity, aligning with the broader goal of precision medicine.
Immune Profiling and AI
In practical terms, the laser-assisted profiling examines subtle variations in immune cell behavior and other blood markers. The AI component then sifts through these signals to identify patterns most strongly associated with early cancer, aiming to flag high-risk individuals for further testing. The researchers stress that AI is used to integrate multiple factors from the immune system and biochemistry, rather than relying on a single indicator.
Why It Matters for Younger Women
There is growing concern about breast cancer appearing in younger populations. A quick, easily accessible blood test could help identify women who should receive closer monitoring, especially if they live far from major healthcare centers where mammography is readily available. Dr. Hassan notes that even if the test does not replace imaging entirely, it could streamline who needs mammography and when, improving overall screening efficiency and experience.
Public Health Context in Quebec
In Quebec, screening guidelines have historically invited women aged 50 to 74 for mammography every two years. However, the provincial health authorities recently recommended expanding the program to include women aged 45 to 49. The Montreal study arrives at a moment when early detection is a public health priority amid rising cases among younger women.
Potential Benefits and Challenges
The main benefit would be easier access for those in rural or remote communities and a screening experience that many find less burdensome than regular mammograms. A high-quality blood test could help prioritize who needs imaging and biopsy, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and expediting care for those at greater risk. Yet researchers caution that a blood test is not yet a stand-alone diagnostic tool. A biopsy remains essential to confirm cancer and guide treatment decisions.
What Remains Before Clinical Use
Several years of research and validation lie ahead. The Montreal team is currently refining the AI’s ability to distinguish cancer signals from normal variation and to tailor tests to individual patient profiles. The work involves ongoing comparisons of archived cancer samples with those from healthy volunteers to teach the AI what to look for in diverse populations.
The Team and Funding
In addition to Dr. Hassan, collaborators include Dr. Réjean Lapointe, engineer Frédéric Leblond, and AI expert Samuel Kadoury. The project is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Lotte & John Hecht Foundation, highlighting the collaborative effort to bring innovative screening tools from the lab to the clinic.
Looking Ahead
If successful, this blood test could become part of a broader strategy for breast cancer screening that emphasizes early detection, patient-friendly testing, and precision medicine. While a definitive clinical rollout remains years away, the research underscores how combining laser-based immune profiling and AI could reshape the landscape of cancer screening and risk assessment for women of all ages in Montreal and beyond.
