Almost all women with breast cancer have dermatofibromas.
Five women with breast cancer had their dermatofibromas excised and tested for arsenic. A total of 56 women with breast cancer and 56 women without breast cancer were examined for the presence of dermatofibromas.
Dermatofibromas were found to have a lethal amount of arsenic. Either the dermatofibroma was caused by arsenic or became a reservoir to trap arsenic. Women with breast cancer and multiple dermatofibromas (n = 38) had a 100% chance of getting the disease. Women with 1 dermatofibroma (n = 11) had a 60% chance of getting the disease. Women with no dermatofibromas (n = 7) had only a 12% chance of getting the disease. In the group without breast cancer, 47 of 56 patients had no dermatofibromas and none had multiple dermatofibromas. Nine patients had 1 dermatofibroma but, as shown by the Figure, had protection by not following every step (probability).
Dermatofibromas are caused by arsenic and set off a cascade of events leading to breast cancer. Screening women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s for dermatofibromas and removing them should eradicate at least 80% to 90% of breast cancer cases.