Breast cancer could be detected by blood test, researchers say

Breast cancer could soon be detected by a simple blood test, according to a team of scientists working to find easier ways to detect the deadly disease.

Scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) have been working with researchers in France to find new ways to detect and monitor breast cancer.

The condition is the most common cancer for women, and kills more than 500,000 people worldwide each year.

Lead researcher Professor Guillaume Tcherkez said a blood test would be cheaper and less invasive than other tests such as biopsies.

But the test will not be available to the public for another 10 years.

"I think 10 years is the minimal time you need to redevelop things to provide evidence it works and also to provide evidence there is some potential clinical application that are scientifically and medically valid," Professor Tcherkez said.

"A blood test for breast cancer is several years away from being used in hospitals, but we think we have discovered a new way of detecting breast cancer in the first instance as well as ongoing monitoring."

The test will be used to complement other more invasive detection tools, including mammograms.

To read more visit: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/breast-cancer-could-soon-be-detected-by-blood-test-researchers/7885982 (Source: ABC News, 28 September 2016)