Comment on Cancers can be detected in bloodstream three years prior to diagnosis

pelespirit@sh.itjust.works ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

• eletes@sh.itjust.works ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  The article says they’re detecting DNA shedding of genetic mutations. I think one example of this could be cancer caused by HPV should shed DNA that they could identify.

  It’s probably different but that’s what I’m thinking from that line

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  • Bo7a@lemmy.ca ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Look up extra-cellular vesicles. This is where the magic is.

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• catloaf@lemm.ee ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Not really, no. It’s only really cancer once the cells multiply uncontrollably. Yes, sometimes cells don’t properly perform apoptosis, but there are other mechanisms that will target and kill those precancerous cells. Only once those other mechanisms fail does it become true cancer.

  Besides, even if this test did come back positive, they’d still have to identify a tumor and monitor. If you have a teeny-tiny benign tumor that isn’t hurting anything, the best course of action is to just leave it alone and monitor. Any surgical procedure risks spillage, which is basically human-induced metastasis.

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  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    That makes sense if I’m understanding you correctly. You might have cancerous cells, but it’s not actually cancer.

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    • catloaf@lemm.ee ⁨9⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      Right. Like you might walk by someone with a cold, and inhale a small number of their virus particles. But your immune system can handle that. If you spend a lot of time with them face-to-face, the virus gets a foothold (because of inhaling more viruses, this part isn’t a perfect metaphor) and starts multiplying, it can overwhelm the first line of defense and become an infection.

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