New study finds millions of breast cancer patients can safely avoid chemotherapy

Millions of women worldwide suffer from breast cancer. Scientists have developed a genomic test in a major breakthrough that can determine which patients will benefit from chemotherapy and who can actually skip it, according to recent trial results.

While the international study found that more than two-thirds of its participants could safely avoid chemotherapy and can be treated with hormone therapy alone.

Notably, a study led by University College London incorporated more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients over the age of 40 in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

A gene test called Prosigna was used to measure the activity of 50 genes involved in breast cancer growth.

It was observed that patients who received a low score bypassed chemotherapy. The results showed that the survival rate for this group was 93.7% compared to 94.9% rate among patients who did undergo chemotherapy.

UCL noted that clinicians are anxious about prescribing a treatment that provides only a marginal efficacy to patients with the most common types of breast cancer.

The university further clarified that more than 5,000 NHS patients could avoid chemotherapy as result of these findings. Karen Bonaman who took part in the trial confirmed that the results brought her a tremendous ray of relief.

The 64-year-old was extremely satisfied as she thanks to the Prosigna test. She said: “Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be shocking.”

“It certainly propels you into a world of uncertainty. Life priorities realign and you simply want to survive.”

The trial’s chief investigator, Professor Rob Stein also shared his remarks stating: “These results mark an important and significant step toward more personalized treatment.”

"The trial has successfully used tumour biology to guide decisions rather than relying solely on traditional clinical features.

"For patients, this means many may be spared the physical and emotional burden of chemotherapy and its potential long-term side effects.

UCL further noted that more research is required to determine if these findings are more than enough to apply to patients under the age of 40.