• Health
  • Science
  • U.S.
  • Technology
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

Building a Better World

News and information

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Our Team

Simple test alerts breast cancer patients eight months in advance

August 28, 2015 By Sam Catherman

Simple test alerts breast cancer patients eight months in advance

An amazing new DNA test from researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London is able to detect breast cancer cells in the blood months before any other test.

Scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research in London have developed a new blood test that could save countless lives. According to a report from the BBC, trials showed that the test was effective at detecting breast cancer relapses in 12 out of 15 women.

The secret to the test lies in the wonders of DNA. When people have tumors surgically removed, the cancerous growths often leave behind traces of their own genetic information. While experts believe that the test will probably not be ready for widespread use for a couple more years, many are confident in the new test’s ability to locate these miniscule traces of cancer, months before they grow into something more serious again.

The study examined 55 patients who were at a high risk for cancer relapse after having large tumors removed with surgery. Researchers examined the mutated DNA from tumor cells and then scanned blood samples for traces that matched. Of the 55 patients, 15 of them relapsed and developed subsequent tumors. The blood test was able to give 12 out of these 15 an advanced warning.

The other three patients had cancerous cells in their brains, where a protective blood-brain barrier may have trapped cancerous DNA from circulating throughout the body.

The blood work is relatively cheap, but scanning for DNA mutations remains expensive. The test is much less invasive and faster than traditional cancer screens, but it will still be some time before the test is fully developed and ready for use.

Sharing

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail

Filed Under: Front Page, Health

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us

Facebookrss

Search:

Recent Posts

  • NASA’s InSight spacecraft makes important course correction May 26, 2018
  • Scientists outraged at latest Trump decision May 15, 2018
  • Huge uproar erupts over major incident at Utah park May 13, 2018
  • Incredible moon discovery stuns scientists May 12, 2018
  • Authorities shocked by discovery about common painkiller May 6, 2018
  • Outrageous crocodile experiment stuns scientists May 5, 2018
  • Great Barrier Reef is too quiet, scientists say May 1, 2018
  • Massive Hiroshima bomb discovery shocks scientists May 1, 2018
  • Earth will be slammed by massive asteroid April 29, 2018
  • Teens are doing something incredibly alarming in schools April 29, 2018
  • Huge discovery in Tasmania stuns scientists April 28, 2018
  • Shocking discovery in New Jersey stuns authorities April 22, 2018
  • Huge volcanic explosion could wipe out the United States April 21, 2018
  • Huge controversy erupts over world’s hottest pepper April 15, 2018
  • SpaceX is about to do something astonishing April 15, 2018

Copyright © 2021 Jones Kilmartin Group, LLC · Metro Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress