Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women globally, and it is one of the deadliest. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer.

The disease is known to be deadly because it is usually detected when it has already spread beyond the breast. However, the good news is that early detection can increase the chances of survival significantly. A new blood test is now available, which can detect breast cancer early. In this article, we will discuss this new blood test and its benefits.

What is the New Blood Test?

The new blood test is called the CancerSEEK, and it is designed to detect eight different types of cancer, including breast cancer.

The test works by looking for biomarkers in the blood that are associated with the various cancers that the test is designed to detect. For instance, the test looks for mutations in certain genes that are associated with breast cancer.

CancerSEEK is not only capable of detecting breast cancer, but it can detect other cancers such as ovarian, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, and colorectal cancer.

How Does the Test Work?

The CancerSEEK blood test works by detecting certain proteins and fragments of DNA that are known to be released into the bloodstream by cancer cells.

These biomarkers are detected using a technique known as liquid biopsy, where a sample of blood is taken and analyzed in a laboratory. The test is a non-invasive and straightforward procedure that does not require the patient to fast or undergo any other preparation before the test. The test is also cost-effective compared to other types of cancer screening tests.

What are the Benefits of the CancerSEEK Blood Test?

The CancerSEEK blood test has several benefits over other types of cancer screening tests. For one, the test is highly sensitive and can detect early-stage cancer even before it has spread to other parts of the body.

This means that if breast cancer is detected early, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can be administered, which significantly increases the patient’s chances of survival. The test can also reveal the specific type of cancer, which allows doctors to tailor treatments and therapies to the patient’s specific needs.

What are the Drawbacks of the CancerSEEK Blood Test?

One major drawback of the CancerSEEK blood test is its specificity. The test can produce false positives, which means that it may indicate the presence of cancer when there is none.

This can lead to unnecessary anxiety, stress, and additional testing, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, the test is not 100% accurate and may miss some cancers, particularly if the cancer is at an early stage.

However, these drawbacks are not unique to the CancerSEEK blood test but are common to other types of cancer screening tests, including mammography and biopsy.

Conclusion

The CancerSEEK blood test is a promising development in the fight against breast cancer, which has the potential to save lives. The test is highly sensitive, cost-effective, and non-invasive, making it an ideal screening option for many women.

The ability of the test to detect breast cancer at an early stage means that life-saving treatments can be implemented early, significantly increasing the chances of survival. However, the test is not perfect and can produce false positives and false negatives, which means that it should not be considered as a replacement for other types of cancer screening tests.