30.06.2017 In: Oncology
New research has revealed that using a molecular test called MammaPrint can show doctors whether breast cancer is likely to be terminal.
During testing, 15 per cent of patients had an ‘ultralow risk’ of dying from breast cancer in the long term. The researchers estimated that as many as 25 per cent of breast cancers in populations where breast screening is widespread could fall into this ultra-low risk category.
In those identified as ‘ultra-low risk’, women who had received the drug tamoxifen had 97 per cent breast cancer survival rate 20 years after their initial diagnosis, while those who didn’t had a 94 per cent breast cancer survival rate.
This study suggests that women at an ‘ultra-low’ risk, particularly older patients, could therefore choose to receive less treatment and avoid the associated side effects as a result.
Dr Richard Berks, research communications manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This very promising test could help accurately predict a patient’s long-term outlook and enable doctors and patients to make the most appropriate treatment decisions.”
During testing, 15 per cent of patients had an ‘ultralow risk’ of dying from breast cancer in the long term. The researchers estimated that as many as 25 per cent of breast cancers in populations where breast screening is widespread could fall into this ultra-low risk category.
In those identified as ‘ultra-low risk’, women who had received the drug tamoxifen had 97 per cent breast cancer survival rate 20 years after their initial diagnosis, while those who didn’t had a 94 per cent breast cancer survival rate.
This study suggests that women at an ‘ultra-low’ risk, particularly older patients, could therefore choose to receive less treatment and avoid the associated side effects as a result.
Dr Richard Berks, research communications manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This very promising test could help accurately predict a patient’s long-term outlook and enable doctors and patients to make the most appropriate treatment decisions.”
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