Many Breast Cancer Patients Can Safely Skip Chemo, Large Trial Confirms
These results have the potential to reduce overtreatment of breast cancer—stopping patients’ unnecessary exposure to chemotherapy—in a large fraction of cases.
Why All Cancer Patients Should Have Access To Genomic Testing
What’s at issue is the right of all cancer patients—regardless of wealth—to obtain high-quality information about their conditions.
7 Key Cancer Trends For 2018
Few doctors, even oncologists who subspecialize, can keep up with developments in the field.
3 Lessons From An Alarming Case Of Mistaken Cancer Gene Test Results And Surgery
Before choosing any treatment after genetic testing, hit the pause button. Ask questions. Get a second opinion.
Which Patients Will Be Helped By Immune Cancer Drugs? This Test May Tell
It’s possible that tumor mutation burden (TMB) predicts if cancer―of any type―will respond to treatment with immune drugs, but this remains to be tested.
Why I’m Wary Of Grail And Its Plan To Develop A Cancer Detection Blood Test
My worry for Grail is that a lot of people will get worked up upon finding genetic changes of unknown significance. Meanwhile, it might fail to detect cancer in people who really have it.
MammaPrint, Agendia’s Breast Cancer Test, Is Having A U.S. Moment. Can It Reduce Overtreatment?
The potential to reduce overtreatment, in women with a low chance of recurrence for which chemo is unlikely to be of benefit, is huge.
Blood Test Offers An Amazing View Of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells
Evaluation of circulating tumor cells enables monitoring of some cancers from blood samples. This form of liquid biopsy offers…
Companion Diagnostics? For Cancer Care, We Need Better Ones
These biomarkers should link patients to optimal therapy (when such exists), and lead some to decline therapy that’s unlikely to help. The CDx field is moving forward rapidly in oncology..
Precision Medicine Will (Eventually) Lower Cancer Care Costs
Over time, the costs should drop, like for smartphone tech, what my Dad – a chemistry major and retired physician – called “magic.”
How To Avoid Overdiagnosis And Overtreatment Of Breast Cancer
If overtreatment is the problem, the solution is not by avoidance of breast cancer detection, but by better education of physicians and patients.
A Perfect Blood Test For Pancreatic Cancer?
If confirmed, this method of liquid biopsy would enable monitoring and genetic evaluation of pancreatic cancer from blood.
For Colon Cancer Screening, Cologuard Test Offers A Solid New Option
Getting checked, one way or another, has even been deemed cost-effective. The question for colorectal cancer, if you choose to be screened, is how: what’s the best method?
Oncotype Test Could Reduce Overtreatment Of Early Stage Breast Cancer
A low Oncotype DCIS score predicts a low chance that non-invasive breast cancer will recur. The study supports that many women with DCIS can safely forgo radiation.
A Chip against Cancer: Microfluidics Spots Circulating Tumor Cells
With an ordinary blood sample, a device can monitor cancerous cells for spread or resistance to treatment.