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July 2005 - Boobie Report

Cutting Edge Research

By Sue Martori, board member

Approximately 60% - 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are cured of the disease by surgery alone. Traditionally additional methods of treatment include radiation and chemotherapy. The question begs - why is it that surgery alone is good enough for some and not others? Perhaps the answer is to be found in our genes…

In a recent article in The Lancet (February 19, 2005; vol. 365: issue 9460) cancer researcher David Atkins, PhD. found that 76 genes are shown to predict with 93% accuracy whether or not breast cancer will return. This breakthrough could help identify patients who may not require adjuvant chemotherapy, or who could undertake a less-aggressive course of treatment. Atkins is general manager of Molecular Diagnostics at Veridex a research facility developing cancer diagnostic products that will enable earlier disease detection as well as more accurate staging, monitoring and therapeutic selection. Soon patients of breast cancer will have more options for care and treatment as a result of these improved methods of detection. Go to www.veridex.com for more information on the latest developments.