Publish at December 03 2025 Updated December 03 2025
Anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer knows this. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chances of treatment and cure. Since 1948, scientists have known that dying cells, including cancer cells, leave behind circulating DNA fragments. In recent years, however, it has become easier to identify these fragments using blood tests.
As a result, researchers have shown that it may be possible to diagnose a potential cancer 3 years before it forms simply by analyzing these DNA strands. A promising technique, but one that comes with a catch: it is not yet possible to treat a tumor that does not exist. Even if it's small, it needs to be formed before radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery can begin. Wouldn't announcing a potential tumor so early simply increase patient anxiety?
Certainly, but on the other hand, it would then be possible to prepare the response years in advance, to detect the signs more quickly with the medical team. This could save many, many lives. It would also be much easier to know whether a recurrence will occur in those who have already had to fight this disease. If this is the case, again, everyone could develop a strategy. For the moment, only the USA is using these tests, but clinical trials elsewhere and their success rates could lead to their democratization in the next few years.
Duration: 3 minutes
Image: Shameer Pk from Pixabay
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