Blood Test Trial Reaches Florida Women With Dense Breasts
Florida women with dense breast tissue can now be offered a blood-based breast cancer test alongside mobile mammography, though results are still pending.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Cancer
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Mammogen and MammoLink have partnered to extend the KATELYN-ERIN trial, a prospective study of a blood-based RNA assay for breast cancer detection. The trial will be offered to women in communities across Florida through MammoLink's mobile 3D mammography units.
Why it matters
Dense breast tissue can make cancers harder to detect on mammography, so a blood-based test designed to complement imaging could matter for women with dense breasts. The trial is still in the evaluation stage, and its results will determine whether the assay performs as hoped.
The KATELYN-ERIN trial is a prospective study of the genTRU-breast assay in about 2,600 women, with results measured against biopsy-confirmed pathology. Earlier clinical studies have shown stage I breast cancer detection performance for the assay, but the trial's own outcomes have not yet been reported.
The players
Mammogen
A diagnostics developer based in Newport Beach, California, developing the genTRU-breast blood-based assay for breast cancer detection.
MammoLink
A Florida mobile breast imaging provider operating six mobile 3D mammography units that will deliver the trial.
The details
The genTRU-breast assay analyzes RNA from a blood sample to look for signals associated with breast cancer. Mammogen is developing it to complement imaging rather than replace it, aiming to help women with dense breast tissue, where mammograms can miss cancers. Through MammoLink's six mobile 3D mammography units, the trial will reach women in communities across Florida.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Mammogen and MammoLink announce the partnership and trial extension.
Health Landscape
Mammography remains the standard screening tool for breast cancer, but its sensitivity drops in women with dense breast tissue, creating an active search for complementary detection methods. Blood-based assays like genTRU-breast are being evaluated as possible add-ons to imaging rather than substitutes for it.
Women with dense breast tissue may want to ask their doctor whether complementary screening options, including emerging blood-based tests, could be appropriate alongside regular mammograms. Anyone interested in trial participation should discuss eligibility and screening schedules with their physician rather than assuming access.
The takeaway
Breast density is an important factor in how well mammograms detect cancer, and researchers are testing blood-based tests as possible complements to imaging. Women with dense breasts can raise supplemental screening options with their physician.
Further reading
For broader context on how new screening approaches are being tested, explore the latest Cancer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AuntMinnie.
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Would you trust a blood test alongside mammograms to screen for breast cancer?
