Early test may detect Cancer before it spreads

BREAST cancer that is destined to attack the brain could soon be identified with a blood test, new research suggests.

SCIENTISTS who studied 24 breast tumours that had invaded the brain discovered several faulty gene "switches" linked to how the cancer spread, or metastasised.

Two of the switches - chemical inserts that turn genes on or off - became defective early in the development of breast cancer.

Researchers believe they could serve as an early-warning signal for tumours likely to head for the brain.

They are now working on a blood test that might be able to detect the faults at an early stage before the cancer has started to spread.

Study leader Dr Mark Morris, of the University of Wolverhampton, said: "There's also potential for our findings to be used as a starting point to develop treatments that might prevent the spread."

Up to 30 per cent of breast cancers will eventually spread to the brain, often many years after the original tumour has been treated.

Brain metastasis is one of the chief causes of cancer death. Despite radiotherapy and surgery, most women survive just seven months after their breast cancer has reached the brain.

The findings were presented at the National Cancer Research Institute conference taking place in Liverpool.

source: news