Controversial blood test for breast cancer : the Heidelberg University hospital distancing itself from tumor test company

The University hospital of Heidelberg, draws conclusions from a controversial PR campaign for a new blood test for the early detection of breast cancer (the daily mirror reported). So new rules should be created in terms of "economic, scientific, ethical and journalistic questions," the spin-off Companies of the University would in future be observed, said hospital spokeswoman Doris Rübsam-Brodkorb on Thursday the German press Agency. Previously, the "Rhine-Neckar was reported by newspaper", of the University hospital of intensively with the investigation of the Case.

advertising, instead of scientifically-proven facts

The company Heiscreen, a spin-off of the University hospital, was presented in February a new breast cancer blood test. To the company employees of the hospital are involved financially. In a press release, which also bore the Logo of the University, was "a milestone in the breast cancer diagnostics". The market launch is planned "later this year".

On the procedure, there were then significant criticism from professional societies, physicians, and statisticians. Among other things, the results of the Tests on women are published according to University hospital today in a peer-reviewed journal, as it is in scientific practice. In addition, it was noted that key data was missing for the Benefit of the test.

As project Manager, Christof son not called, at a press conference, in spite of demand the proportion of false alarms for the blood test - so, how many healthy women, the procedure falsely Alarm triggers. This number is for the evaluation of a diagnostic procedure is absolutely necessary. Compared to the "Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung" was the son of the proportion of false alarms by 30 percent.

University hospital is sorry to have given you any false hope

The diagnostic procedure could be the end of the year in the routine laboratory, said Doris Rübsam-Brodkorb. For the Test, the blood samples, messengers of the tumor was able to detect cells, but not yet on the market. First, channels of distribution, and the assumption of costs by the health insurance funds would need to be clarified.

The University hospital of sorry for women who had made a possibly false hopes on a rapid use of the Tests, said Rübsam-Brodkorb. "We are very sorry."

in Addition, the University distanced itself from the PR strategy for the blood test. The media monitoring have been responsible for Heiscreen, said Rübsam-Brodkorb. However, the University published the notification on its website. Son said the "Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung", he was involved with four per cent of Heiscreen, his University colleague Sarah Schott, with over seven percent.

so Far, the early detection of breast cancer is based, in the main, to regular Palpation and the mammogram Screening, an x-ray examination of the chest. The Use of ultrasound is controversial.

breast cancer diagnosis with a few drops of blood

breast cancer is, according to the centre for cancer registry data at the Robert Koch Institute with approximately 69,000 new cases a year, by far the most common cancer in women in Germany. According to the latest Figures from the Federal Statistical office 18.570 women died in the year 2016 to breast cancer. (dpa)