May 10, 2016.
Chemo is not helpful for all cases of breast cancer and is often indicated as a preventative measure. To avoid the inconvenience that this treatment implies, a new genomic test could be prescribed, in certain cases.
Assess the risk of relapse
Until then, women with breast cancer were in the majority of cases treated with chemotherapy, mainly to avoid a potential relapse. This, of course, after removing the tumor from the patient. This treatment is heavy and not without harmful consequences on the body. This is why other solutions are being considered today, in order to alleviate the already difficult situation of these women.
The solution ? A genetic test that could be performed, from the tumor removed, in order to assess the risks of relapse and therefore to consider whether or not to resort to chemotherapy treatment thereafter. The advantage of this test is that it will mainly be reimbursed up to € 1,850 by the State, and can be offered in all French hospitals.
Almost one in two patients are spared
This test has been used in the United States for ten years now, which today offers a certain perspective, and ensures a good chance of success. In an evaluation study, out of 1,550 women who were considered to be at high risk of relapse, 46% were able to escape chemotherapy treatment thanks to this test.
In total, more than 6,000 patients could be affected by this test in France each year. The HAS (Haute Autorité de Santé) is still in the process of testing its effectiveness and will soon have to better define in which cases it could be recommended.. In the end, however, it should provide a softer solution and avoid the many side effects caused by chemotherapy treatment.
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