Early detection test can lead to breast cancer diagnoses before cancer appears

'The possibilities to treat the disease are radically improved'

A recent study may make it possible to detect breast cancer before the disease develops. Researchers clarified, however, that the study was based on genetic changes from samples taken from healthy breasts and cancerous breasts.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The study was conducted by a team of Swedish researchers at Uppsala University, whose spokesman said, "By detecting cancer at an earlier stage, or even predicting who has an increased risk of being affected, the possibilities to treat the disease are radically improved."

Breast cancer is Britain's most common cancer and, despite high awareness and regular screening for older women, it kills roughly 12,000 people each year.

Currently, breast cancer tumors are found by the person who has cancer or during mammograms. However, by the time the disease is detected it is sometimes too late.

Spotting breast cancer before it occurs might be possible by running tests on healthy breasts.

The process, if completed, is expected to "radically change" the treatments available. It would treat the disease at the easiest stage. It could potentially diminish the number of deaths due to breast cancer, which is usually diagnosed later in life due to the nature of tests.

Scientists took cancerous breast tissue and skin samples from about 300 women who had healthy breast tissue. They then compared the samples to unhealthy samples and discovered 40 percent of the cases with "normal" tissue showed genetic changes usually seen in those with advanced cancer.

While the research team admitted that the genetic evidence was not sufficient evidence, they believe it is a starting point to better understand the disease.

The changes observed can appear decades before full-blown cancers develop. The altered proteins in breast cells created by genetic mutations may be removed and studied to determine possible diagnoses. Those diagnosed could then began the process of adequate treatment to prevent cancer development. Research is relevant to those who had cancer, particularly since some damaged genes can be left behind when the entire breast is not removed.

"This opens up possibilities to develop diagnostic methods that could identify women at risk for developing breast cancer, before the tumor is formed and much earlier than it can be detected by mammography," said Professor Jan Dumanski. He said that the test could be available after 5 years, depending on the funding.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please continue to send your support!

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