A Queensland researcher has developed a new test that will help save the lives of breast cancer sufferers.
The key is his discovery of new gene “signatures” which can give a more accurate prognosis.
It is the most common cancer in women.
Doctors failed to diagnose Virginie Mackay’s two years ago. The mother of seven has now had a double mastectomy.
If she’d had access to this new biopsy test, her cancer would have been detected much earlier.
“When we mention cancer first reaction is you are going to die,” Ms Mackay said.
The score uses eight new genes discovered by Dr Fares Al-Ejeh, from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
They’re biological breast cancer markers that can determine how aggressive the cancer is.
The genes also predict the chances of survival.
“The way this test works it is a genetic fingerprint and we found a way to calculate a score,” Dr Al-Ejah said.
“At that stage it will be able to tell us within five years what is the likelihood of the disease coming back.
“It is quite exciting for us especially when we were able to compare to other tests available in the clinic it out performed every test we tested.”
Dr Al-Ejah’s study involved 4000 women.
It is hoped the test will eventually save lives of all cancer sufferers. It’s been tested on 16 different cancers from pancreatic to ovarian with positive results and it will be on the market within three years.
Source: 7 News