AMHERST, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004--Cancer screening has long been viewed as a way to avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with this family of diseases, while helping to control the rising costs associated with treatment. However, until recently techniques for detecting the presence of cancerous cells in the general population have been disappointing and marked by accuracy and sensitivity limitations and patient compliance issues. A new survey by Greystone Associates has identified a number of new and emerging methods that will significantly improve the ability of clinicians to detect certain types of cancers noninvasively and more reliably.
New methods based upon such cutting-edge techniques as protein pattern identification, optical fluorescence, and DNA analysis are creating new tools for caregivers and hold the promise of early detection for several important forms of cancer. Some of these new tests are improvements over existing methods that suffer from inaccuracies and a lack of specificity. Others represent potential breakthroughs for cancers with historically high mortality rates such as ovarian cancer, where the absence of an accurate screening method has prevented early detection in the vast majority of cases.
“Evolving approaches to cancer detection that rely on advances in immunochemistry and our growing understanding of cancer cell physiology have resulted in noninvasive tests that are effective in detecting several forms of cancer,” explains George Perros, Greystone Associates Managing Director. “Increasingly these advances are the result of the convergence of cancer marker detection and computerized analysis.”
The survey’s findings are contained in a new report researched and written by Greystone Associates. Noninvasive Cancer Test Kits: Evolving Technologies, Emerging Opportunities analyzes new and emerging cancer tests and examines the technology, regulatory and business factors that will influence their impact on the healthcare industry. More information is available at www.greystoneassociates.org
About Greystone
Greystone Associates is a medical and healthcare technology consulting firm providing services in strategic planning, venture development, product commercialization, and technology and market assessment.
Contacts
Greystone Associates Mark Smith, 603-595-4340 marksmith@greystoneassociates.org www.greystoneassociates.org