New Blood Test Can Reveal Breast Cancer Well Before Tumor Grows
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Scientists say they've developed a blood test for breast cancer that could predict a relapse of the disease months before tumors start forming again.
Mary Bubala has more.
Researchers in London analyzed blood samples from 55 women who fought and won the battle with early stage breast cancer. They specifically looked for microscopic pieces of DNA linked to the cancerous tumors surgically removed.
"By tracking that, we can see whether after surgery there is disease present in that patient that we couldn't actually detect with our normal imaging approaches," said Professor Mitch Dowsett.
Dowsett says normal imaging can only detect cancerous cells after they've grown. This specialized blood test can reveal cancer months before a tumor forms.
"It's far more sensitive and it's actually very specific," Downsett said.
In 54 of the 55 cases, researchers were able to predict who would relapse and who would not.
"This new technique will allow us to begin to measure whether or not that disease is coming through before it actually reveals itself," Downsett said.
A larger study is planned for next year and researchers say it could take several years before the test becomes available to patients.
Researchers say it could be a few years before the blood tests are widely available to cancer survivors.
