More than 700 Portuguese women will take part in a European clinical trial that aims to identify an increased risk of breast cancer in young people using a genetic test based on a saliva sample.
The goal of this study is to test a “new tool” to identify women under 50 at risk for breast cancer and tailor screening and interventions to that risk, Luis Costa, director of oncology, told Lusa. Monday from Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHULN).
CHULN is the institution that will bring together the study, which will take place in Portugal, Sweden, Estonia and Spain.
Luis Costa added that more and more cases of cancer are occurring in young people, noting that, according to the latest cancer registry in 2018, of the approximately 7,500 newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer, 1,800 are in women under 50 who are “not registered.” screening radar, which is currently aimed at women aged 50 to 69.
The oncologist said attempts are being made to extend the screening period so that it starts at age 45 and continues until age 74, but even if this comes to fruition, younger women will not be covered.
The specialist said he expected to receive about 750 volunteers aged 35 to 50 using the hospital’s non-cancer services, who could also have a mammogram, the result of which would accompany a polygen test, as well as a follow-up letter. if necessary, deliver to the attending physician to manage the risks of future diseases.
“This is not about women with breast cancer. These are women who do not have a personal history of breast cancer, whether or not they have a family history of breast cancer, who can participate in this project,” explained Luis Costa.
After conducting the test, it is determined whether a woman has a risk equal to that of the general population or has a higher risk, he said.
According to Luis Costa, the purpose of this work is to demonstrate that with a test already approved in other countries, early detection of these women, who are not even included in the new criteria for screening, is possible.
“The word ‘before’ is the word that matters the most for healing. The sooner we can make a diagnosis, the earlier the stage will be and the greater the chance of a cure,” he stressed, stressing that this tool intends to add “another technical and scientific approach.” information”. .
In his opinion, the shows should be “in the future, as far as possible, more individualized and not determined by age.”
“This means that there is information about the citizen. In this case, we are talking about a woman at risk of breast cancer, who she knows if she has an increased risk or not, and whether she should or should not, perhaps in the future, participate in a show that has an age limit. , not 45 years old, but another age limit. This will need to be proven later,” he said.
The study, funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, is presented this Monday at the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Medicine in Lisbon.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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