What is breast fine needle aspiration?
The procedure was originally designed to determine if we could predict which women known to be at high risk (because of personal and family history, precancerous breast disease or prior breast disease) would develop breast cancer within a 5-10 year interval. By analyzing the breast ductal cells, we are better able to predict which women are at increased risk for breast cancer in the next 5 years. The breast ductal cells are obtained by drawing them out with a small needle after the skin and breast tissue are numbed with a local anesthetic similar to what is commonly used at the dentist’s office. This may sound painful, but there is really very little feeling in most womens’ breasts after the tissue is anesthetized. A mild sedative (Ativan/lorazepam) can be prescribed if needed to help patients relax before the breast aspiration. A risk assessment breast aspiration is part of the research project and is supported by grants. There is no charge to you for this procedure except for an offi
