Ep. 124: Liquid Biopsy: The Future of Early Cancer Detection
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“Liquid biopsy” is a form of cancer screening that detects biomarkers in the blood with a simple draw. Research indicates that it could help to detect disease months or even years before other, more expensive and more invasive forms of screening, helping to save lives. So how exactly does it work? Is it better at detecting some cancers compared to others? And how can it help oncologists treat already diagnosed cases? Medcan’s director of clinical innovation, Allison Hazell (pictured above), investigates with the help of Dr. Lewis Roberts, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Hepatobiliary Cancer Lab.
LINKS
Follow Dr. Lewis Roberts on Twitter.
Learn more about Dr. Lewis Roberts’ work at the Mayo Clinic’s Hepatobiliary Cancer Lab, and read his bio.
Learn more about the development and validation of liquid biopsy at the BloodPAC Consortium website.
This NY Times article discusses some potential drawbacks as liquid biopsy science is developed.
Seeking to learn more about your genetic risk for cancer or other health conditions? Medcan’s Proactive Genetic Screening and Whole Genome Sequencing programs provide you with an understanding of your risks for hereditary cancer and other conditions. Call (416) 350-3621 or email genetics@medcan.com to book an appointment with a genetic counsellor.
Read these articles in the March 2020 issue of Nature Outlook:
The future of liquid biopsy by Catherine Alix-Panabières
Could liquid biopsies help deliver better treatment? by Michael Eisenstein
INSIGHTS
“There’s been a lot of excitement and anticipation about liquid biopsy testing for cancer screening,” says Allison Hazell. When was it first developed, and why? [5:12]
How does liquid biopsy testing work, and how is it different from the methods currently used to screen for cancer? [6:37]
Does liquid biopsy testing detect early stages of cancer in people who haven’t already been diagnosed? [12:25]
Today, how common is the clinical use of liquid biopsy testing to monitor cancer after surgery or treatment? [14:29]
How can liquid biopsy testing detect multiple types of cancer at once? Will it improve our ability to catch rare cancers at earlier stages? [15:56]
What are the other methods used today to screen people who are at high risk for developing cancer? [17:36]
Are there certain types of cancer that liquid biopsy testing can more easily detect? [21:00]
Is liquid biopsy testing ready to be used in regular clinical practice? [22:42]
How are experts addressing concerns about the risks of false positives and the psychological and financial implications of liquid biopsy testing? [26:13]
What does the future hold for liquid biopsy testing, and when could it become standard practice? [30:50]
*LEGAL
This podcast episode is intended to provide general information about health and wellness only and is not designed, or intended to constitute, or be used as a substitute for, medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. You should always talk to your Medcan health care provider for individual medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, including your specific health and wellness needs.
The podcast is based on the information available at the time of preparation and is only accurate and current as of that date. Source information and recommendations are subject to change based on scientific evidence as it evolves over time. Medcan is not responsible for future changes or updates to the information and recommendations, and assumes no obligation to update based on future developments.
Reference to, or mention of, specific treatments or therapies, does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement. The links provided within the associated document are to assist the reader with the specific information highlighted. Any third-party links are not endorsed by Medcan.