This study integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and epidemiologic methods to address breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and progression. The heterogeneity of breast tumors makes treatment decisions debatable. Different clinical patterns with the same stage may warrant different treatments and similar clinical features also pose different prognoses.

Similar to conventional medicine, TCM relies on history and physical exam to arrive at a diagnosis. In addition to a measurement of pulse and an inspection of the tongue, inquiries are made as to diet, exercise, meditation, sleep and environment. We will employ epidemiologic methodology to validate the pattern-specific criteria according to TCM. This will include evaluating the TCM diagnosis using sphygmography to measure wave spectrum of pulse with three grades, and digital photography for imaging the color, fur and sublingual vessels of the tongue, and employing epidemiological survey instruments for detailed lifestyle and dietary questions.

A total of 60 incident cases, between the ages of 30-79, diagnosed with histologically confirmed breast cancer will be identified from University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). Study subjects are contacted for an in-person interview and a TCM examination by the certified practitioner at UCSF Osher Center of Integrated Medicine. In addition, information on clinical data regarding pathology, histology, estrogen/progesterone receptor status, and treatment choices will be abstracted from the medical records.

Data analyses will classify TCM patterns into distinct categories using factor discrimination analyses. Using logistic regression, TCM patterns can be used for predicting progression (stages) while controlling for clinical factors.

We believe results from this study will provide insights into a new paradigm of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and progression.