Health
Cancer could be detected three years before diagnosis with experimental blood test
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Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say they have uncovered an advanced method for detecting cancer.
A new study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery and partly funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that genetic material shed by tumors can be detected in the bloodstream three years prior to a cancer diagnosis.
The researchers analyzed plasma samples from a large Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to assess risk factors for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, according to a press release.
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Blood samples were analyzed from 26 participants who were diagnosed with cancer within six months of sample collection, and 26 who were not diagnosed with cancer.
Out of these 52 participants, eight scored positively on a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) lab test and were diagnosed with cancer within four months following blood collection.
Genetic material shed by tumors can be detected in the bloodstream three years prior to a cancer diagnosis, researchers found. (iStock)
MCED tests are an experimental type of cancer screening that looks for signs of multiple types of cancer at the same time, according to the American Cancer Society.
These signs may include pieces of DNA, RNA or proteins from abnormal cells.
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For six of these eight individuals, researchers were able to assess additional blood samples that were collected 3.1 to 3.5 years prior to diagnosis.
In four samples, researchers identified tumor-derived mutations (genetic alterations within cancer cells).
“Three years earlier provides time for intervention,” noted the lead study author (not pictured). (iStock)
Lead study author Yuxuan Wang, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shared in a statement that investigators were surprised by the outcomes.
“Three years earlier provides time for intervention,” she said. “The tumors are likely to be much less advanced and more likely to be curable.”
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Senior study author Bert Vogelstein, M.D., Clayton Professor of Oncology and co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins, said the study shows “the promise of MCED tests in detecting cancers very early, and sets the benchmark sensitivities required for their success.”
The researchers analyzed plasma samples to assess risk factors for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. (iStock)
Detecting cancer years before a clinical diagnosis could help “provide management with a more favorable outcome,” said senior author Nickolas Papadopoulos, Ph.D., professor of oncology and Ludwig Center investigator.
“Of course, we need to determine the appropriate clinical follow-up after a positive test for such cancers,” he added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Johns Hopkins for comment.
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Health
Man’s extreme energy drink habit leads to concerning medical discovery, doctors say
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Eight energy drinks per day may lead to serious health consequences, recent research suggests.
A relatively healthy man in his 50s suffered a stroke from the overconsumption of unnamed energy beverages, according to a scientific paper published in the journal BMJ Case Reports by doctors at Nottingham University Hospitals in the U.K.
The unnamed man was described as “normally fit and well,” but was experiencing left-side weakness, numbness and ataxia, also known as poor coordination or unsteady walking.
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When the man sought medical attention, it was confirmed via MRI that he had suffered an ischemic thalamic stroke, the report stated.
The patient’s blood pressure was high upon admission to the hospital, was lowered during treatment and then rose again after discharge, even though he was taking five medications.
The 50-year-old man (not pictured) admitted to drinking eight energy drinks per day. (iStock)
The man revealed that he consumed eight cans of energy drink per day, each containing 160 mg of caffeine. His caffeine consumption had not been recorded upon admission to the hospital.
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Once the man stopped drinking caffeine, his blood pressure normalized, and he was taken off antihypertensive medications.
High caffeine content can raise blood pressure “substantially,” a doctor confirmed. (iStock)
Based on this case, the authors raised the potential risks associated with energy drinks, especially regarding stroke and cardiovascular disease.
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They also highlighted the importance of “targeted questioning in clinical practice and greater public awareness.”
The authors say this case draws attention to the potential dangers of over-consuming energy drinks. (iStock)
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel reacted to the case study in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“This case report illustrates the high risk associated with a large volume of energy drink consumption, especially because of the high caffeine content, which can raise your blood pressure substantially,” said Siegel, who was not involved in the study.
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“In this case, the large amount of caffeine appears to have led directly to very high blood pressure and a thalamic stroke, which is likely a result of that soaring blood pressure.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the case study authors and various energy drink brands for comment.
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