Millions of breast cancer patients could avoid chemotherapy with new genome test

Millions of breast cancer patients could be spared chemotherapy with a revolutionary new genomic test, a clinical trial has shown. The most common type of cancer in women in the UK, breast cancer is usually treated by removing tumours with surgery before fighting any resurgence with chemotherapy. But while effective in combating some forms of the cancer, chemotherapy can come with a raft of undesirable side effects, including hair loss, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, and even infertility and cognitive impairment.

Millions of breast cancer patients could avoid chemotherapy with new genome test. Millions of breast cancer patients could be spared chemotherapy with a revolutionary new genomic test, a clinical trial has shown. The most common type of cancer in women in the UK, breast cancer is usually treated by removing tumours with surgery before fighting any resurgence with chemotherapy. But while effective in combating some forms of the cancer, chemotherapy can come with a raft of undesirable side effects, including hair loss, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, and even infertility and cognitive impairment. Patients could be spared chemotherapy if it will not benefit them. Doctors are also concerned that many people with the most common, hormone‐sensitive type of breast cancer receive little or no benefit from chemotherapy, but still experience its signifi...