Irish breast cancer breakthrough could end mammograms
Major cancer discovery from team at Galway University
By ANTOINETTE KELLY, IrishCentral.com
Published Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 1:50 PM
Updated Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 4:24 PM
*** begin quote ***
Irish scientists may have found an alternative to the dreaded mammogram in a bid to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
Researchers from the National University of Ireland Galway have identified a new blood test that can act as an “early warning” system.
The test, which is being discussed as a potential replacement for mammograms, can alert doctors if the disease is recurring.
*** and ***
The study found a link between breast cancer and substances called microRNAs which are found in the blood of patients with breast cancer.
Professor Michael Kerin, who led the team, said there was good reason for optimism.
“This early work suggests a combination of mir195 and Let7a (two specific types of microRNA) are sensitive markers for the presence of breast cancers in over 90 percent of cases,” he said. “This raises the possibility of their use in screening for breast cancer.”
*** end quote ***
Recent gooferment “pronouncements” about cancer screening was suspect. Suspect that they were looking at the cost as opposed to the benefits. Here may be an opportunity to satisfy both conflicting priorities.
The value of human life can’t be reduced into dollars and sense.
Sorry. Apologies to all the accountants and gooferment bureaucrats, but your wrong. Heartlessly wrong.
When people buy their own health care, they make a very tough “value” judgement.
I’ve seen “old people” and “terminally ill” people make the tough decisions easily. When we insert an insurance company or Medicare welfare into the process, people don’t see the costs as impacting their legacy and their families.
So substituting a potentially cheaper and more accurate chemistry test is a real winner.
# # # # #
Reinke Faces Life 