A major study published online in the England Journal of Medicine indicates that the value of a gene-activity test may allow many females with early-stage of breast cancer to skip chemotherapy without hurting their odds of beating the disease. The study was sponsored by National Cancer Institute.

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According to a report published in abc News, the test precisely determined several women whose cancers are highly prone to respond to hormone-blocking drugs and the affects are similar to chemotherapy, while chemo exposes them to side effects and other health risks. In the study, women who skipped chemo based on the test had less than a 1 percent chance of cancer recurring, such as the liver or lungs, within the next five years.

The research involved the most common type of breast cancer (in early stage), without spread to lymph nodes; hormone-positive, meaning the tumor's growth is fueled by estrogen or progesterone; and not the type that the drug Herceptin targets, reported Miami Herald.

The usual treatment for this is surgery and then hormone-blocking drug. However, many patients also are urged to have chemo, to fight off stray cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast and could be a root of a new cancer later. Although Doctors are aware that most of these women do not necessarily need chemo but there are no ways to evaluate who can safely skip it.

Dr. Karen Beckerman, a New York City obstetrician diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, said she has undergone the gene test as suggested by a Doctor and she scored very low for recurrence risk.

"I was convinced that there was no indication for chemotherapy. I was thrilled not to have to have it," and has been fine since then, she said.

An independent expert, Dr. Clifford Hudis of New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said "There is really no chance that chemotherapy could make that number better. Using the gene test lets us focus our chemotherapy more on the higher risk patients who do benefit."

The tests now will cost $4,175 but it is covered by many insurers. However, future studies on the tests may help to lower its price along with increased efficiency.

Tagsbreast cancer, Fight Breast Cancer, Gene Test For Breast Cancer, Chemo Alternaive For Breast Cancer, Skip Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer