- diagnose early cancer development – that is the ability to diagnose cancer in those with little or no symptoms or signs;
- confirm the diagnosis of cancer in those with uncertain results of conventional tests such as blood tests or X-rays;
- monitor the effect of treatment, including conventional treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or complementary and alternative treatments such as nutritional approaches or herbal medicine; and
- detect early recurrence in those who have had cancer in the past but are now in remission.
Who Should Have the Test?
The test is available to everyone.
It would be particularly valuable for:
- those who have a strong family history of cancer, but are fit and well;
- those who have had suspicious test results from their doctors, but do not know whether they have cancer or not;
- those who have had cancer diagnosed and are about to embark upon a course of treatment; and
- those who have had cancer in the past, and want to make sure they are clear.
For fit and healthy people, over the age of 40, it could be argued that they should have the test every 2 years or so. For fit and healthy people over the age of 55 – 60 it could be argued that they should have the test every 12 months.
For people with cancer, or a history of cancer, or a family history of cancer, it could be argued that the test should be carried out more frequently.
How Is It Done?
The DR-70 test is carried out on a a fasting blood sample – that is a blood sample taken after fasting (not eating) for a period of 12 hours or longer.
We ask people to come to the clinic to have a blood sample taken in the mornings, having had nothing to eat after tea or supper the night before.
The blood sample is then sent off to a laboratory in Harley Street, London, where it is analysed.
The results are available to us after around 14 – 21 days, and we usually arrange a follow-up appointment in a month to discuss your results.
How Accurate are the Results?
No test can be 100% accurate. This test is probably as accurate as can be.
At Better Health we have always approached new treatments, new tests and new therapies with an analytical, scientific approach – are they as good as they claim to be?
Currently available and previous tests for cancer have been vague and of limited accuracy or limited usefulness. For example, the PSA test for prostate cancer is accurate, but only for prostate cancer, X-rays are useful in a large number of cancers but may miss many cancers, and is not specific enough to confirm the diagnosis.
A low DR-70 level is normal, and implies that there is no cancer in the body; a medium level of DR-70 implies the presence of early cancer, but the test should be repeated to confirm the result and to look for an upward trend (which would be much more indicative of cancer); high DR-70 levels are highly indicative of invasive cancer, and further tests should be done to search for the cancer site.
What Advice Do You Get?
If the DR-70 levels are low or normal, then the presence of cancer is highly unlikely. A follow up test should be carried out in 12 – 24 months.
If the DR-70 levels are moderately raised then the test should be repeated, possibly with other tests looking for other signs of cancer.
If the DR-70 levels are high, then further tests should be carried out, looking for signs of cancer.
Further tests should include physical / clinical examination, blood tests, and possibly X-rays or other imaging tests. Further tests may be indicated according to individual requirements.
In the presence of high, or moderately raised, DR-70 tests, we would advise that you seek further advice from your own doctor or GP. We will provide you with the test results and explanation of the test results to show your doctor, and any further information that he or she needs.
We would expect that further tests would be carried out to investigate the presence of cancer as above.
Further advice is available from Better Health on request, and we would also give you advice regarding diet and lifestyle in relation to cancer, the use of diet and nutritional supplements, and the use of herbal and other complementary and alternative medicines in cancer support.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of the DR-70 test is £125, which includes taking and processing the blood test prior to sending forward to the laboratory, and a follow up consultation for the test result.
Further charges apply for any further consultations, tests or treatments, and these will be discussed with you fully as necessary.