N.B. company’s new breath test could change how breast cancers are detected

A new breath test developed by Moncton-based company Breathe BioMedical shows promise for revolutionizing breast cancer screening, potentially offering a more accessible and accurate method for early detection. The test analyzes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a woman's breath, aiming to identify patterns indicative of breast cancer across all breast density types.

“

It’s very exciting to see a new technology that potentially could be able to reach the masses, the capacity wouldn’t be an issue, and that we’d be able to find cancer early.

Jennie Dale, founder of Dense Breasts Canada, expressed excitement about the new technology, noting its potential to reach a wider population and improve early cancer detection. She highlighted the limitations of current mammography, particularly for women with dense breasts, where accuracy can be less than 50 percent, often necessitating supplemental screening like ultrasounds or MRIs. Breathe BioMedical's test aims to serve as an intermediate screening tool, bridging the gap between mammography and more costly downstream tests.

“

What we’re trying to do is build a test that sits between mammography and these more costly downstream tests.

CEO Bill Dawes stated that studies have launched across the United States and are now expanding into Canada, with initial sites in New Brunswick and plans for expansion into Nova Scotia and Ontario. The test is designed to be quick and administered by trained personnel. Dr. Jocelyne Hébert, principal investigator at the Moncton site, reported positive feedback from participants, who are enthusiastic about a non-invasive screening tool.

“

Patients are quite excited that we are working on a tool that is non-invasive.

Currently, the breath test is being offered to patients with suspicious mammograms requiring a biopsy. Participants exhale into a sampler, collecting VOCs for analysis at Breathe BioMedical's lab. The company reports an 88 percent accuracy rate so far, with hopes to improve this throughout the ongoing study. Breathe BioMedical is collaborating with health networks in New Brunswick and Halifax to establish more study sites.

“

It’s like a signature for breast cancer in your breath. Hopefully, we can identify the specific pattern and be able to have a screening test, which will be non-invasive.