A groundbreaking new blood test has shown promising results in predicting the return of breast cancer before it shows up on scans. The test, which detects traces of tumour DNA in the blood, was found to be 100% accurate in predicting which patients would experience a cancer relapse. This development is seen as a significant step forward in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among women worldwide.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) London, involved 78 patients with early breast cancer. The "liquid biopsy" test looked for specific mutations in the patients' blood that are released by cancer cells. Results presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago revealed that the test detected cancer an average of 15 months before symptoms appeared or scans confirmed the diagnosis.
Lead researcher Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas emphasized the importance of early detection in preventing cancer recurrence. He explained that cancer cells can remain in the body after treatment but may be undetectable on follow-up scans, leading to relapse years later. The study's findings suggest that the new blood test could improve post-treatment monitoring and potentially extend patients' lives.
While the research is still in its early stages, experts have described the results as "incredibly exciting." Dr Simon Vincent of Breast Cancer Now, which part-funded the study, highlighted the importance of early detection in preventing breast cancer from becoming incurable. However, the availability of the test to the wider population remains uncertain.
This development is part of a series of recent advancements in cancer research, including the use of saliva tests for prostate cancer detection and personalized vaccines for cancer treatment. Despite these positive developments, the UK is expected to see a rise in melanoma skin cancer cases, underscoring the ongoing need for innovative approaches in cancer prevention and treatment.