The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Gene test can reduce chemo use among breast-cancer patients, study says

By
August 24, 2016 at 5:05 p.m. EDT
Doctors often prescribe chemotherapy for women with early-stage breast cancer, but a new study suggests that some women might safely avoid it. (Rui Vieira/Press Association via AP Images)

Doctors have long known that many early-stage breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy don't actually need it to prevent recurrence of the disease after surgery. But they haven't known exactly which patients might safely skip the toxic treatment.

A European study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine sheds new light on the issue, concluding that many such patients might be able to avoid chemo.