A simple blood test could improve lung cancer care and cut costs
It may be possible to bypass expensive, invasive tissue biopsies to detect lung cancer with a simple sample of blood, thanks to research done by Dr. Doreen Ezeife.
Exciting new research has shown that specialized blood tests, or “liquid biopsies,” can identify many types of cancer and allow physicians to target therapies for patients. A University of Calgary researcher, Dr. Doreen Ezeife, MD, has shown that liquid biopsies could also save the health-care system a lot of money.
Working with researchers across Canada, Ezeife studied the impact of liquid biopsy on the cost of care in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. She found that liquid biopsies can significantly reduce health care costs, resulting in more patients receiving personalized therapy. This research could change how lung cancer is diagnosed in the future.
For Dr. Doreen Ezeife, the new Calgary Cancer Centre will enhance opportunities to collaborate with other scientists and health care professionals to perform nationally and internationally impactful research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.
“To me, to OWN.CANCER means that cancer patients can feel empowered to learn ways to maintain their health and well-being throughout their cancer and survivorship journey, and the health care team helps to have their needs met,” says Ezeife.
