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Friday, 19 April 2024

Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:36

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Gene breast cancer clue

American and Dutch researchers have published a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences claiming that genes which are involved in healing wounds may help predict breast cancer patients' long-term health.

The researchers claim to have found distinct "healing" gene patterns, which they believe could reflect how aggressive a breast tumour is likely to be, but they say more research was needed to see if the find would aid treatment.

Antonia Bunnin, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "In the future it could provide a further means of helping to predict patients' prognosis and may allow clinicians to personalise treatment for women with breast cancer.

"However, further research is needed to determine whether treatment decisions based on this method are beneficial”.

Laura Trapani, of Breast Cancer Care, said: "It is important for people with breast cancer to be aware that the 'wound healing process' described in the study is not related to wound healing following their breast surgery.

"Any problems with healing experienced by people after their surgery, for example infection, are not an indication of their prognosis”.

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