Simple Blood TestAids In Treating Late Stage Patients (NAPSA)—Even though most women know the importance of early detection and yearly screenings in the fight against breast cancer, each year thousands of womenreceive a devastating diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. In fact, more than one in four breast cancer patients are diagnosed with a highly aggressive breast cancer classified as HER-2/neu positive, which until recently had few treatmentoptions. Along with advanced drug therapies, physicians are now using a monitoring test called the Serum HER-2/neu blood test from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. This test gives the physician one more tool to use while monitoring women diagnosed with late stage or metastatic breast cancer, which is cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. The Siemens Serum HER-2/neu blood test was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the follow-up and monitoring of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose initial serum HER-2/neu level is greater than15 ng/mL. “The blood test serves as a kind of ‘early indicator’ during the treatment and remission phases,” stated Daniel Vicario, MD, a board-certified medical oncologist at San Diego Cancer Center. “Knowing early on how mypatient is responding to therapy is important. It allows me to personalize the treatment regimen in a more timely and informed manner.” tt eu test is a noninvasive, simple blood test, whichis one of the many welcomed benefits for patients such as Christine Druther, a nine-year metasta- tic breast cancer survivor and founder of www.her2support.org. The test, used in conjunction with clinical and diagnostic procedures in the effective management of Druther’s metastatic breast can- cer, tracks her Serum Her-2/neu levels while she is in remission. “Having the HER-2/neu blood test gives me peace of mind. As a breast cancer survivor, I want to do the most to stay informed and protect my health,” stated Druther. By combining advanced drug therapies, routine mammograms, advanced breast ultrasounds and MRIs, doctors are making strides in fighting many metastatic cancers moreeffectively. For more information about the Serum HER-2/neu blood test, talk to your doctor or visit www. siemens.com/herstory.
