There are several methods available to detect breast cancer, but new research finds one may not be effective.

Ductal lavage is a procedure that removes cells from milk ducts in the breasts to see if abnormal cells appear cancerous.

Because most breast cancer starts there, scientists had thought that flushing the ducts would draw out cancerous cells before mammograms detected them. But new research shows the test is unreliable.

Lavage uncovered clear cancer signs in just 13 percent of the cancerous breasts tested.

Researchers say mammographies and physical exams are still the most effective way to detect breast cancer.