Online tool could lead to better breast cancer prevention

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Spotted: Scientists at Cambridge University, led by Professor Antonis Antoniou, have developed an online tool called CanRisk. It helps doctors more accurately predict a women’s risk of getting breast cancer. While not the first tool of its kind, CanRisk’s unique algorithm goes deeper than other computer tools to identify women who were previously overlooked. CanRisk prompts doctors with specific questions, which go beyond those related to family history, patient’s weight and alcohol consumption. Risk calculation is more precise as it takes into account more than 300 genetic indicators for breast cancer. The data collected provides scientists with fresh insight into the role genetics and lifestyle play in the development of the disease.

Nurses and doctors in the UK are currently testing CanRisk. It’s still unclear when it will be rolled out for the commercial market. The project receives funding from Cancer Research UK.

Takeaway: Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer. When diagnosed at a late stage IV, the chance of survival is cut by nearly 40 percent. Early detection helps improve the odds. More precise prediction tools would lead to more timely screenings — potentially reducing breast cancer deaths by 60 percent — and more proactive cancer treatments. A cure for breast cancer has eluded humanity since the time of ancient Egypt. More accurate predictions could bring scientists one step closer to finding it.

Website: www.cam.ac.uk
Contact: [email protected]

Published in: January 2019

Source: New feed 1