🔬 Biopsy smart, not routine.
Knowing when to biopsy—and when not to— can change diagnosis, management, and outcomes in upper GI endoscopy.
From Barrett’s protocols to linitis plastica sampling—precision matters.
#GastroAGI #Endoscopy #UpperGI #Biopsy #Gastroenterology #GIEndoscopy #MedicalEducation
Scientists have developed a simple DNA blood test
that can predict how well patients with breast cancer will respond to treatment.
More than 2 million people globally each year are diagnosed with the disease,
which is the world’s most prevalent cancer.
Although treatments have improved in recent decades, it is not easy to know which ones will work best for which patients.
Now researchers have designed a #liquid #biopsy that tells doctors how likely a patient is to respond to a specific treatment -- even before it begins.
The test has the potential to be gamechanging because it means patients could be offered alternative options, and avoid treatments that won’t help them, boosting their chances of beating the disease.
The test, developed by a team at the Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR),
analyses #circulating #tumour #DNA (ctDNA), which is released into the blood of patients by cancer cells.
Researchers measured these microscopic levels of cancer DNA in blood samples from 167 patients.
The test was trialled before treatment began and again four weeks later, after a single treatment cycle.
There was a strong association between low levels of ctDNA at the start of treatment, and treatment response, according to the team.
A similar association was seen with the results taken at four weeks.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/18/simple-blood-test-can-predict-which-breast-cancer-treatment-will-work-best-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
0 likes, 0 comments - drhowardsmithreports on January 13, 2026: "Custom Breast Cancer Screening Breast cancer screening may be on the verge of a major shift—from one-size-fits-all mammograms to personalized screening based on individual risk. The best news is that a custom program led to fewer tests, less radiation exposure, but no increased risk of missing a treatable cancer. UC San Francisco surgical oncologists led a multicenter collaborative study of 46,000 women 40 to 74 years of age and report their results in the journal JAMA Network. Half that number received personalized screening while the other half, the control group, received annual screening mammography. The custom treatment cohort was divided to 4 groups based on their risk of developing breast cancer as assessed by genetic screening, family history, and other factors. The highest risk women received 6 monthly screening with alternating conventional mammography and MR imaging as well as risk reduction counseling. The elevated risk group received annual mammography and counseling. The average risk group received mammography every 2 years. The low risk group, the youngest women with minimal risk factors, received no screening until age 50 or the advent of a risk increase. The result. Risk-based screening is safe and effective. It diminished the numbers of mammograms performed. It did not reduce the numbers of breast biopsies. The personalized approach is popular with 89% of the participants indicating that they preferred it. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155036.htm https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2842903 #breast #cancer #screening #genetics #biopsy".
@EllenInEdmonton @Chigaze @AmeliasBrain
PS: I'm glad your balcony 'freezer' did as needed! Hope the bone broth is great. ❤️
Quasi-related, I had my first-ever bone marrow #biopsy recently. Turns out the specialist doing the biopsy had never had anyone ask (as I did), "With times being the way they are these days, do humans have enough #BoneMarrow to bother eating our neighbours if things get really bad?"
He laughed but also said he didn't know … and while this was (on my part) entirely intended to be a profession-related quirky bit of trivia to glean, now I am fretting over whether I should risk a browser search to satisfy my curiousity! 😂😂😂😛😀
Elderly neighbor had a cool biopsy of a lung. They use a little robot coming in through the airways. The robot picked up some tissue and dropped off a couple of tiny pieces of metal.
They call these "targets". They allow superior targeting of tumors for radiation treatment.
No, they don't go pick them up again if the biopsy comes back negative, 🙂.
With the start of new testing for Cancer's return, "It's All Coming Back to Men Now" in an unpleasant manor. #memories
#cancer #cancerfight #biopsy #cystoscopy #therapy #unansweredquestions #meditation #spookyseason #mentalhealth #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #writer #writerscommunity #lovemeanyways
https://rickollie.com/2025/10/04/cancer-follow-up-with-urology-its-all-coming-back-to-me-now/
In a weeklong journey leading up to my second cancer biopsy, I give my thoughts on what's happening with humor, love and truth.
#cancer #therapy #biopsy #friendships #Voodoo #Love #Chrisrmas #writerscommunity #healthmatters #lovemeanyways #understandingcancer #thefightisreal #gotlove #writer #health
https://rickollie.com/2025/09/19/my-second-cancer-biopsy-a-week-in-the-life/
In a weeklong journey leading up to my second cancer biopsy, I give my thoughts on what's happening with humor, love and truth.
#cancer #therapy #biopsy #friendships #Voodoo #Love #Chrisrmas #writerscommunity #healthmatters #lovemeanyways #understandingcancer #thefightisreal #gotlove #writer #health
https://rickollie.com/2025/09/19/my-second-cancer-biopsy-a-week-in-the-life/
When asked how I'm feeling right now, I'd have to say...I'm Feeling to be Cancer Free by Christmas
#Cancer #CancerFight #ChristmasOrnaments ##Friendship #Traditions #KarmanosCancerInstitute #Biopsy #TotalEclipseOfTheHeart #BonnyTyler #Cardiology #Oncology #Dentist #Oncology #Urology #LoveMeAnyways
https://rickollie.com/2025/08/29/im-feeling-to-be-cancer-free-by-christmas/
GastroAGI
All Scientifical
Chuck Darwin
Howard Smith MD, AM
Likely Jan Lukas
salix sericea (@Ripple13216)
Rick Ollie
