Screening for Breast Cancer Using Near-Field Infrared Spectroscopy of a Single Strand of Hair
Abstract
A recent Australian study has used synchrotron x-ray diffraction to identify changes in the structure of hair that may be linked to either the occurrence of breast cancer, or the increased predisposition to breast cancer because of the breast of a mutation of the BRCAl gene. We have successfully developed a new infrared method for the detection in a single strand of hair the presence of lipid deposits that were the putative cause of the observed x-ray patterns. Our study provides an independent test of the proposed link between hair structure and breast cancer. We have found that our table-top infrared technique does offer an alternative to expensive synchrotron x-ray sources for this purpose. However, our tests show that we find the presence of lipids in healthy patients as well. We performed independent x-ray studies in collaboration with researchers at Cornell University, who have confirmed our finding that the x-ray scattering patterns are observed in hair from healthy patients. Taken together Our work suggests that (i) IR microscopy is extremely promising, but (ii) the Australian study is likely to be wrong - a disappointing result for breast cancer patients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA411480
Entities
People
- M. K. Hong
- Shyamsunder Erramilli
Organizations
- Boston University