50 types of cancer could be detected even before the first signs. This, thanks to the blood tests. This was revealed by a study conducted by a group of researchers. But it will take some time for these findings to be validated, Mauritian doctors say.
A biomedical analysis professional believes that performing blood tests to detect cancer has many implications – medical, moral, social, and psychological. It will also take some time before this type of analysis is approved and arrives in Mauritius, according to him. “There must be more specific and sensitive tests and the techniques must be readily available,” he says.
Early diagnosis can save lives, underlines a source close to the file alongside the Ministry of Health. “Standard cancer screening should be continued pending final results on the effectiveness of using Galleri as a screening tool for various cancers,” explains our contact.
He adds that the results of a large study involving 165,000 people are expected next year and will determine the way forward for using Galleri as a genetic screening method.
An oncologist, who did not want to be named, points out that we shouldn’t rejoice too quickly.
“These are just preliminary and prospecting analyzes. More in-depth research is still needed and the study shows that traces of cancer were noticed in only 1.4% of the volunteers, “he says. Our interlocutor is however of the opinion that it would be a great medical advance if cancer could be detected early, and thus ensure better care. Treatment should also be lighter and patients will have a better chance of survival, he stresses. But the other side of the coin is that screening tests of the same type should be done regularly.
Tunnel test
The oncologist also points out that no one is immune to cancer, which can occur due to multiple factors. “Nothing can stop a person from getting cancer. There are non-modifiable factors (age and sex) and modifiable factors (sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and cigarette abuse and obesity, among others) ”, explains our interlocutor. A healthy lifestyle is therefore recommended with the consumption of a healthy and balanced diet and the practice of regular physical activity. This is to delay or prevent the risk of getting cancer.
Detect the first signs of cancer through blood tests and thus have the possibility of having an early diagnosis for better medical assistance. This is the bet that a group of researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York wanted to accept. This, through the study called “Multi Cancer Early Detection”. 6,621 people over the age of 50 took part in this survey. No one showed early signs of cancer and the disease was not even diagnosed.
Known as the “Galleri test”, analyzes of circulating tumor DNA make it possible to identify genetic abnormalities in tumor cells. During the study, signs of cancer were found in 92 people (1.4% of the participants). These results were presented at the congress of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), held in Paris a few days ago.
More than half of these 92 people did not know they had cancer, according to the study that found cancers of the breast, liver, lungs, colon, but also of the blood, pancreas or ovary. These cancers, often detected late, leave a low survival rate. Previously, the first tests detected tumors in the blood of patients with known cancer.
“I think the exciting thing about this new paradigm and this new concept is that many of them were cancers for which we don’t have standard screening,” said lead researcher Dr Deb Schrag. on the study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. However, opinions are divided on this matter among Mauritian specialists.
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