Major breakthrough in personalised treatment offers hope of reducing unnecessary chemotherapy

KARACHI — A new genetic test could significantly change the way breast cancer is treated, potentially helping millions of women avoid undergoing chemotherapy, according to international research reported by The Guardian.

Scientists say the test can identify which patients are unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy, paving the way for more targeted and less aggressive treatment plans.

How the genetic test works

The newly developed genetic testing method analyses tumour biology to assess the likelihood of cancer recurrence and treatment response.

Doctors say the test can help determine whether a patient requires chemotherapy or whether hormone therapy alone may be sufficient.

This approach marks a shift towards more personalised cancer care, reducing reliance on standardised treatment protocols.

International study involving thousands of patients

The findings are based on a large international study involving around 4,000 breast cancer patients.

Researchers found that patients classified as low-risk showed similar outcomes whether they received chemotherapy or only hormone-based therapy.

This suggests that a significant number of patients may be able to safely avoid chemotherapy and its often severe side effects.

Potential to reduce treatment burden

Experts believe the test could help spare many women from the physical and emotional toll of chemotherapy, which can include fatigue, nausea, hair loss and weakened immunity.

At the same time, it could allow healthcare systems to focus resources on patients who are more likely to benefit from intensive treatment.

Move towards personalised cancer care

Medical specialists describe the development as part of a broader global shift towards precision medicine, where treatment is tailored to the genetic profile of each patient’s cancer.

Researchers say such innovations could improve survival outcomes while reducing unnecessary medical interventions.

Cautious optimism from researchers

While the results are promising, experts caution that further validation and regulatory review will be required before the test becomes widely available in clinical practice.

However, they say the findings represent an important step forward in improving breast cancer care and patient quality of life.