Breast cancer test with saliva: when the news is far from reality | Health and wellness

News of a new treatment that can cure the most aggressive subtype of cancer, or a new method of early diagnosis of cancer using a simple and harmless test, appears periodically, creating a great stir in the media and creating huge expectations in society. There is no doubt that we, as a society, are hungry for positive news about progress in the fight against cancer, since, directly or indirectly, we will all come into contact with this disease. However, the truth is that much of this news is far from reality, or at least from current or short-term reality.

Recently, news emerged about how a saliva test could diagnose breast cancer, even venturing that it could overshadow the use of mammography as a screening method, a method that has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality in large areas. and rigorous clinical studies. tests. This news caused a great stir in the media, but as with many things, the truth is that the actual scientific impact of this supposed achievement is limited today. In this particular case, we are talking about a device that detects tumor markers in saliva with great sensitivity. It should be noted that tumor marker testing has not proven to be a valid strategy for breast cancer screening or diagnosis, and that this study was conducted in 17 patients. Any advance in diagnostic methods or treatments requires a long and rigorous clinical trial process involving hundreds or thousands of patients to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

This news is just one more example of many that are reported each year in connection with cancer treatment or diagnosis. In many cases, “miracle” cancer treatments are talked about, and when analyzed, these are results from the preclinical phase, in cell lines or mice, or in a very limited number of patients. While some of these treatments may end up in the news, it is important to realize that many of these promising treatments unfortunately do not reach satisfactory clinical development due to a lack of significant benefit in clinical trials or due to a toxicity profile that limits their effectiveness. use.

That is why, from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, we want to insist on the need to carefully evaluate news of this type and call for responsibility before disseminating it, carefully analyzing its reliability and scientific evidence. Sensational news that is far from reality can have a negative impact on cancer patients and their families, especially vulnerable populations in whom it can create false expectations, increase their anxiety, or even, in the worst case, deter them from undergoing diagnostic tests such as mammograms. or treatments that have strong scientific evidence.

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