A Blood Test to Detect Breast Cancer Could Be Just 5 Years Away

A Blood Test to Detect Breast Cancer Could Be Just 5 Years Away

Scientists have shared promising news on a blood test that could detect breast cancer up to 5 years before symptoms begin. The researchers say that this test could be available by 2025 if research is fully funded.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cancer researchers compared blood samples from 90 breast cancer patients to 90 patients without the disease, specifically testing for patients’ immune response to substances made by tumor cells. 
  • The next step is to test samples from 800 patients to improve the test’s accuracy. Further development is needed to validate this test. 
  • Benefits of a blood test for early breast cancer detection include lower cost, usefulness in low-income countries, and ease of screening compared to current breast cancer screening methods like mammography. 
  • Breast cancer is a heavy burden, and accounts for 15% of all cancer deaths among women. The WHO says that over 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. 
  • Note: Despite this promising research development, mammography is still the current recommendation for breast cancer screening. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women without a family history of breast or ovarian cancer get mammograms every 1-2 years starting at age 40.

Read the original article here.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Pregnant? Afraid of tearing? 8 out of 10 women tear during a vaginal delivery. But we're here to help. NeoHeat: Repair the Tear. SHOP NOW

You may also like:

Disclaimer: This is general medical information and not specific medical advice.  It does not and should not replace diagnosis or treatment by your healthcare provider. If you are seeking personal recommendations, advice, and/or treatment, please consult your physician. If you have an emergency, you should contact 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.