what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

A new blood test is being developed which will not only detect 15 per cent of all cancers but will also help treatments for some of the most aggressive forms of the disease. The test will help in the diagnosis and treatment of mainly bone and brain cancers.

The original article can be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2750191.htm

how did it rate? (more information)

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

Unfortunately this article if full of hype without much substance. Although the story says a few times that this test diagnoses about 15% of all cancers, it doesn't talk about the accuracy or whether 15% is a beneficial percentage. It is unclear what stage of development the test is at and no information is provided as to the level of evidence of the research behind the test. In its favour the story provides two sources of information the developer plus an indepedent source from Cancer Council NSW.

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