will blood test for cancer cause epidemic?

By luke4hope on Tue, 01-11-11, 23:41

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Breast Cancer

wrote about a new blood test to screen cancer recently, and found this article questioning whether or not it will cause an epidemic of overdiagnosis, thoughts?

"A simple blood test. It's able to detect minute quantities of cancer cells that might be circulating in your bloodstream.

It's reported to be able to detect a single cell. It's intended to allow cancer patients to start treatment much earlier.

It's supposed to save lives. It's a cancer breakthrough.
But it's not that simple. The test could just as easily start a cancer epidemic.

We've seen it before. Twenty years ago another simple blood test was introduced. Twenty years later over 1 million Americans had been treated for a cancer that was never going to bother them."

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By mrbutterfly on Wed, 01-12-11, 17:49

in a patient's point of view, diagnosed to have a late stage of cancer where cure is not a possibility anymore, how he would have wished that this kind of diagnostic accuracy was possible and he woould not have suffered the wrath of cancer.
yes, there is a possibility that there would be an epidemic of diagnosis but then again, if used in the diagnostic arsenal of responsible and knowledgeable doctors, then it would be for the greater good of every patient.

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By luke4hope on Wed, 01-12-11, 23:32

good point. i like to show both sides, but in the end i think youre right.

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By rascal1 on Wed, 01-11-12, 05:41

Good article and thought provoking...I can see this happening as it already does with several of the other tests, but not so severe. Interesting to watch and see. Thanks for sharing!

Sending hugs and prayers your way for strength.

Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Stage 3A
Finally finished treatment 6/13/11 and in remission!!!
Gotta love it,

rascal1

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