Researchers develop blood test to detect early-stage breast cancer, predict recurrence

An international team of researchers has developed a blood test that can detect breast cancer at an early stage and help predict the risk of recurrence after treatment, Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science said in a statement, El.kz cites Xinhua.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, could pave the way for better cancer detection and follow-up care.

The test detects tiny traces of cancer cells in the blood by analyzing chemical markers that reflect their behavior. In tests involving women with breast cancer and healthy participants, the method identified early-stage breast cancer with 95 percent accuracy.

The researchers also discovered a small group of particularly aggressive cells within tumors, even when the cancer appears relatively harmless. These cells may survive treatment and contribute to cancer recurrence.

By detecting specific markers linked to these cells, the test could predict cancer recurrence with 81 percent accuracy.

The researchers said the technology could help doctors identify patients at greater risk and choose more suitable treatments