Diagnostic test can help detect breast cancer

Chennai: Detection of breast cancer recurrence is now possible with a diagnostic test and not necessarily a screening process. A recent development called MammerTyper test in breast cancer research indicates recurrence of cancer by determining the status of expression of four significant breast cancer biomarkers.

While a biomarker, sometimes called a tumor marker, is a bodily response to cancer, it helps doctors learn more about cancer and aid recommendation of the best treatment options. Testing for biomarkers in cancerous tissues is recommended strongly as it has a direct implication on treatment choices.

After breast cancer is treated in an individual, mammograms are regularly needed to detect recurrence, but conventional methods expose the patients to radiation. However, MammerTyper test is based on the identification of a biomarker and does not involve such risks.

"Biomarkers are present in a person's blood, urine, or other body fluids and therefore, detection of cancer recurrence is done at the tissue level. It is an innovative molecular in vitro diagnostic test (IVD) in a quantitative way and provides one-day turnaround in terms of the results that is usually two to three weeks," said Dr Kirti Chadha, head of oncology, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.

MammaTyper test costs Rs 48,500 against other tests that cost around Rs 2 lakh or more for detection procedures. Medicos say that the test is applicable in all female breast cancer cases as a primary diagnostic test (biopsy), for the analysis of resection specimens and metastases, as a second method in the case of unclear results of other screening methods.