Page 93 2026 PAINT THE PAPER PINK Lincoln Daily News Oct/Nov 2026 certain biomarkers such as hormone receptors and HER2 to help make treatment decisions. A biomarker is any gene, protein, or other substance that can be measured in blood, tissues, or other body fluids. Studies are looking at whether testing for other biomarkers or even groups of biomarkers might help predict a person’s prognosis (outlook) or decide which treatments might be best. Liquid biopsies and circulating tumor DNA Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is DNA that is released into the blood when cells die. Breast cancer cells can also release DNA into the blood. This can be detected and measured using tests on a blood sample, which is sometimes referred to as a liquid biopsy. Testing the ctDNA in the blood for cancer biomarkers is a rapidly growing area of study. Measuring ctDNA might help determine whether: • Small amounts of cancer remain in the body after treatment, even if they can’t be seen on imaging tests, which is known as minimal residual disease (MRD). This might help predict the risk of recurrence or whether further treatment is needed. • A certain drug will work on a tumor before trying it • The cancer has become resistant to a drug • Breast cancer has come back after treatment, before it can be seen on an imaging test like a mammogram Newer imaging tests Newer types of tests are being developed for breast imaging. Some of these are already being used in certain situations, while others are still being studied. It will take time to see whether they are as good as or better than those used today. Some of these tests include: • Scintimammography (molecular breast imaging) • Positron emission mammography (PEM) • Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) • Electrical impedance imaging (EIT) • Elastography • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) • New types of optical imaging tests
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