New breast tumor classification offers better options

By Carolee Gifford Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
4/24/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

A large study uses genetics to further refine diagnosis

One in eight women is likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.The diagnoses comes with a slew of emotions and much fear. Part of that fear comes from the treatment offered to women with breast cancer.

New awareness about breast cancer may change approaches to curing cases.

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Because of an inability to further refine a diagnoses of breast cancer, from the familiar Stage 1 through 4 offered for years, an excess of caution caused many women to be over treated.

Side effects from chemotherapy are notorious. Breast removal leaves many women doubting their femininity and huge issues with body image.

A new international study led by scientists at Cancer Research UK was published in the journal "Nature." The study lists ten different categories of breast cancer tumors, from very treatable to extremely aggressive.

This large study used samples from 997 tumors and used genetic clues to better classify the tumors.

The data was then studied with the long-term health outcomes of the patients whose tumors were removed. A link was then established between genetic patterns and tumor progression.

Scientists involved in the study have made the information available worldwide in an attempt to stimulate drug development.

The scientists said the next step would be to find out how specific molecular patterns make tumors grow, and to seek out the faults that might respond to new drugs in the future.

Visit Carolee on her blog, www.CaroleeGifford.blogspot.com

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: breast cancer, research, chemotherapy masectomy, Cancer Resaerch UK, Carolee Gifford

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