Simple blood test could detect breast cancer

Story published on Women's Viewes on News, October 9, 2012

Britain’s largest breast screening clinic is to begin trials on a simple new blood test which may detect breast cancer before symptoms emerge.

Researchers claim that the test may also be useful in detecting potential relapses or the type of breast cancer, enabling clinicians to prescribe treatments which tackle it most effectively, claim researchers from the University of Leicester and Imperial College.

Cancer Research UK, in collaboration with the Univeristy of Leicester and Imperial College, London have invested over £1m into the study.

Blood samples will be taken from women attending the breast screening clinic at Charing Cross hospital in London and the DNA will be compared between women diagnosed with breast cancer and those who are not to see what DNA markers are consistent.

Dr Jacqui Shaw, principal investigator from the University of Leicester, said: “Women could have an annual blood test rather than breast screening. This would remove any worry and anxiety for women who are called for further investigations after a mammogram only to find they don’t have cancer.

“As things stand we aren’t able to monitor breast cancer patients after they’ve had surgery and treatment – which is like treating diabetes, but not measuring blood sugar levels. The new blood test could change that.”