Recurrence Predictor Test

Goodness - I don't know that I would want to be getting around knowing that a recurrence is coming!  Ignorance is bliss and knowledge is valuable however I think it would probably be in the mentally hard to cope with category for some!  I currently have a recurrence of something else and not very happy about it, if I had known prior would I be coping any better, doubt it!
Interesting all the same!

It’s a tricky one @Afraser - there will be some winners and losers, sadly.  

Any advance in the accurate predicting of recurrence has to be a good thing.

Interesting but am I the only one to be careful what you wish for? Knowing you have a low chance of recurrence (it's still an estimate) may encourage some patients to opt out of more unpleasant types of treatment. We don't have a highly accurate knowledge of what works and exactly how. Knowing you have a high chance, possibly irrespective of doing everything you can, may have a detrimental effect on mental health. Ignorance is almost never bliss but ......Be fascinating to see what the larger study reveals. 

@kmakm, too right, it is part of the work that was discussed by Jason Carroll :)  Exciting developments in a few different areas that hopefully won't be too long in coming to pass. The Garvan session was so informative and gives me hope that real progress is not too far into the future.

@arpie, from what I understand, they would look at the genetic makeup of the tumour rather than tumour size, aggressiveness, age of the patient and tumour type only to make a more accurate prediction. Getting that genetic testing done though probably opens a huge can of worms in terms of costs etc but would actually save the health system a ton of money in the long term. 

WOW!  Good find, @Jane221       That looks like a really valuable tool when they finally roll it out!

I am guessing they would need to test everyone's tumour for a more accurate 'prediction'?

    

What they were talking about at the Garvan Institute last week!