Blood Tests Offer Simplified Cancer Detection

Image courtesy of cancer.about.com

A Belgian firm, OncoMethylome, and scientists in Germany developed new blood tests that can assist in the detection of colon and stomach cancers without resorting to invasive procedures.  This would also make detection procedures more simple and cost effective.  Both tests have the ability to use blood samples for identifying genetic patterns related to cancer and its behavior as far as spreading to other parts of the body.  Joost Louwagie of OncoMethylome attests to the blood test’s simplification, saying that medical staff will be able to utilize the tests without specialized training or devices.  German scientist, Ulrike Stein, presented her research findings with Louwagie at a cancer congress in Berlin – the blood test was able to detect a gene called S100A4, which is linked to cancer.  She says that cancer patients will often exhibit a higher level of the S100A4 gene versus patients without cancer.  About one in every 17 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and Europe.  The best defense against the disease is early detection, which these blood tests can help achieve.  For more information regarding these blood tests, read the article.

One Response to “Blood Tests Offer Simplified Cancer Detection”

1. Kylie Batt says:

   May 4, 2010 at 4:32 am

   Случайное совпадение…

   ……