Menu
06/04/2016
Researchers May Have Discovered New Way To Separate Cancer Patients Into Risk Groups
A potentially new way to separate patients with the very earliest forms of breast cancer into risk groups, has been discovered by researchers at Queen's University.
Dr Niamh Buckley and her team set out to find a way to predict the likelihood that a woman diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer (DCIS) had also developed an initially undetected invasive form of the disease, or that they would go on to develop invasive cancer in the future.
DCIS, which is the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells have developed within the milk ducts but not yet broken out and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
Around 5,000 cases of DCIS are diagnosed every year in the UK, with 130 in Northern Ireland alone. It has been estimated that about half of DCIS tumours will progress into invasive breast cancer, but it is difficult to predict which cases are likely to do this.
Women with DCIS sometimes also develop early invasive cancers that are so small that they go undetected through the traditional diagnostic investigations. Dr Buckley's research has found that a range of biomarkers in their DCIS tumour could give patients the option of knowing they were more likely to develop invasive disease.
By the same token, while women at high risk of having co-existing invasive breast cancer could then receive more intensive treatment, those at lower risk could also elect to have more conservative treatment.
The team also identified potential treatments which could be used to target the biomarkers they found to be significantly associated with invasive disease.
The study, which has been published in Oncotarget, was funded by Cancer Research UK and was carried out at the Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory.
Dr Niamh Buckley said: "Increased knowledge of the molecular profile of non-invasive cancers can only serve to enhance our understanding of the disease and, in an era of personalised medicine, can only bring us closer to improving breast cancer care.
"Our findings require further validation through clinical trials but we believe that the use of biomarkers could pave the way to a significant improvement in the management of non-invasive breast cancer."
(CD/JP)
Dr Niamh Buckley and her team set out to find a way to predict the likelihood that a woman diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer (DCIS) had also developed an initially undetected invasive form of the disease, or that they would go on to develop invasive cancer in the future.
DCIS, which is the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells have developed within the milk ducts but not yet broken out and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
Around 5,000 cases of DCIS are diagnosed every year in the UK, with 130 in Northern Ireland alone. It has been estimated that about half of DCIS tumours will progress into invasive breast cancer, but it is difficult to predict which cases are likely to do this.
Women with DCIS sometimes also develop early invasive cancers that are so small that they go undetected through the traditional diagnostic investigations. Dr Buckley's research has found that a range of biomarkers in their DCIS tumour could give patients the option of knowing they were more likely to develop invasive disease.
By the same token, while women at high risk of having co-existing invasive breast cancer could then receive more intensive treatment, those at lower risk could also elect to have more conservative treatment.
The team also identified potential treatments which could be used to target the biomarkers they found to be significantly associated with invasive disease.
The study, which has been published in Oncotarget, was funded by Cancer Research UK and was carried out at the Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory.
Dr Niamh Buckley said: "Increased knowledge of the molecular profile of non-invasive cancers can only serve to enhance our understanding of the disease and, in an era of personalised medicine, can only bring us closer to improving breast cancer care.
"Our findings require further validation through clinical trials but we believe that the use of biomarkers could pave the way to a significant improvement in the management of non-invasive breast cancer."
(CD/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 November 2024
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
05 December 2013
NI Highest Breast Cancer Survival In UK
Northern Ireland has the highest breast cancer survival rates in the UK and Ireland, according to research by Queen's University. The data for Northern Ireland was provided by the Queen’s Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to the EUROCARE 5 study. The research is part of a European-wide study into cancer survival rates.
NI Highest Breast Cancer Survival In UK
Northern Ireland has the highest breast cancer survival rates in the UK and Ireland, according to research by Queen's University. The data for Northern Ireland was provided by the Queen’s Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to the EUROCARE 5 study. The research is part of a European-wide study into cancer survival rates.
10 October 2011
Pink Lady Backs NI Cancer Research
A Saintfield woman, Noleen Adair, who knows about cancer, having discovered she had breast cancer at 22 to be faced with radical surgery and chemotherapy has been fundraising. Noleen refuses to put her life on hold and now, the charity she founded to help others facing breast cancer has presented a dazzling £50,000 to Friends of The Cancer Centre.
Pink Lady Backs NI Cancer Research
A Saintfield woman, Noleen Adair, who knows about cancer, having discovered she had breast cancer at 22 to be faced with radical surgery and chemotherapy has been fundraising. Noleen refuses to put her life on hold and now, the charity she founded to help others facing breast cancer has presented a dazzling £50,000 to Friends of The Cancer Centre.
06 November 2003
Belfast women attend cancer awareness meeting
Women from community groups across Belfast attended a Cancer Awareness meeting today to discuss the effect of cancer in their communities and the importance of taking up invitations for Cervical and Breast Screening.
Belfast women attend cancer awareness meeting
Women from community groups across Belfast attended a Cancer Awareness meeting today to discuss the effect of cancer in their communities and the importance of taking up invitations for Cervical and Breast Screening.
09 September 2011
Yellowhammer Portraits Are Framing Success
Two local cancer charities, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre, have announced a unique fundraising initiative - the opportunity to buy a highly collectable piece of art by acclaimed Irish artist, Nicola Russell, while making a significant contribution to the work of both charities.
Yellowhammer Portraits Are Framing Success
Two local cancer charities, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre, have announced a unique fundraising initiative - the opportunity to buy a highly collectable piece of art by acclaimed Irish artist, Nicola Russell, while making a significant contribution to the work of both charities.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
