Breast cancer breakthrough as new test could revolutionise treatment

A new test for breast cancer patients has been developed which can predict whether or not their cancer is likely to return just two weeks after they start treatment.

Experts said thousands of breast cancer patients could be spared unnecessary treatment as a result.

The new test has been devised by scientists to detect the likelihood of cancer reoccurring in patients with a type of breast cancer known as oestrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive – which accounts for around 200,000 cases of cancer each year around the globe.

Writing in the journal eBioMedicine, experts said the test means that some patients will be able to “de-escalate” their treatment while it could also help identify those who need “more intensive therapeutic strategies”.

The test, which was developed by scientists at The Institute for Cancer Research, London, correctly identifies the 6% of patients at highest risk of relapse.

Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, which part-funded the study, said: “These findings add to the growing evidence that genomic testing can play a powerful role in helping to predict the risk of a woman’s breast cancer coming back, particularly in people with ER-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer.

“There’s potential for women to benefit hugely from this research in the future, with it ensuring they avoid undergoing unnecessary treatment and leading to more personalised treatment plans, so that women receive the most effective therapy for their specific type of breast cancer.”

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Source: The Independent, 19 July 2025