New Test Predicts the Spread of Breast Cancer

Jacksonville - Treatments for breast cancer such as masectomy, radiation and chemotherapy are not needed in every patient. Physicians struggle to identify the right patients for these procedures. No one should go through such invasive therapies or treatments unless they absolutely have to. On the other hand, every patient who needs advanced care should get it. The question has long been: how do you decide which patients are in need of more and which in need of less invasive techniques?

A new test shows promise for eliminating over-treatment and under-treatment of breast cancer. Developed by three leading medical research universities, the test actually identifiies which patients have the more dangerous level of cancer cells. Now they have the tool they need to identify which patients need more treatment and which patients can be spared such treatments.

Certain cancer cells will metastatize; that is, spread all over the body. Others will not. Obviously this should determine a patient’s treatment. Now that this test has been developed, physicians can safely assess the level of care a patient will need. The test identifies a three cell mingling that indicates metastic disease. If the three cell mingling is not present, then the patient’s outlook is much brighter and their treatments less drastic.