Sunday, November 29, 2015

New Way of Detecting Cancer

A new study by Umea University in Sweden has found a new RNA test of blood platelets that can be used to not only detect cancer but also to classify the type of cancer and pinpoint the approximate location of the cancer by using only one drop of blood. Researchers studied 283 blood samples from both cancer patients and non-cancer patients. Researchers compared the RNA profiles of the blood samples and found that they could identify the presence of cancer with a close accuracy of 96%. Out of the 283 blood samples, early detection of cancer was found in 39 of the samples. Researchers were able to identity as well as classify 100% of the 39 cases. The Umea University researchers proceeded with another follow up test using the same method and were able to detect the origin of tumors in cancer patients with breast, brain, lung, liver, and colon cancer with 71% accuracy. The study concluded that this new method of testing can easily replace the invasive cell tissue sampling in diagnosing cancers.


I found this article to be very interesting. I was surprised to learn that this new RNA test of blood platelets only requires one drop of blood. It’s fascinating that all it takes is one drop of blood to detect cancer, classify the type of cancer, and locate the location of the cancer. It was also interesting that the researchers were able to detect early stages of cancer in patients using this new blood test. I think that this blood test will help save many lives, especially since it has the “potential to improve early detection of cancer” as mentioned in the article, and therefore patients will be able to start treatment even sooner.

1 comment:

  1. I completely agree with you; it's really impressive what people can do with one drop of blood. With all the genetic material it holds, it makes sense how scientists could perform these tests in order to find any signs of cancerous tumors. Hopefully, further research could be done in order to make a more effective method of finding cancer.

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