Database Helps Determine Cancer Risk
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is an interesting report in the British Journal of Clinical Practice that looks at an inexpensive but exciting way to help find out who is at risk for problems like lung cancer and certain gastrointestinal cancers.
We have known for quite some time that cigarette smoking and sudden weight loss are predictors of cancer. The best treatments for cancer are those that are begun early. The faster we get to it the better. The report looked at a new database system called QResearch which uses numerous factors, not just those two, to predict who might be at risk. They actually use a calculator to put all the factors together and estimate risk.
What they found is that they have a significant success rate by using the data and the calculator.
Here is why this is so exciting. We actually have a low cost tool -- not an expensive lab study.
Again, the key is using data and a simple calculator to see who is at risk.
Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor
