Controversy in cancer testing
Gene testing is one of the new investigations in the cancer arena, Unfortunately, as there are not much good results in this area, physicians and patients who venture into this area may have greater risk compared to conventional way of diagnosing and treating cancer.
The principle behind gene testing is good. Some one has cancer, the physician would then test if this cancer is caused by a specific gene which then makes a certain treatment for this type of cancer more effective than the conventional chemo and radiotherapy for those who do not have this specific diagnosis.
Its like tailor made your cancer treatment or personalised cancer treatment programme. Unfortunately, as this type of diagnosis is not yet well established, there are incidents like this case in Duke where the results of the test unfortunately guided the doctor to a treatment which is not effective.
Thus, it is very important to know if the test that is available now is one of those well established type or just a new investigational type. Your life would depends on this.
Dr Victor Teoh
Cancer Epidemiologist
MD, MPH
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