A simple blood test called a liquid biopsy is a new, less invasive way to learn more about breast cancer and other cancers. Researchers and doctors look for tiny pieces of cancer DNA in the blood to determine how the cancer is changing over time.
Liquid biopsies are not routinely used in people with stage 0-III breast cancer. At this time, they are being tested in research studies and clinical trials to help doctors track how well treatments are working and spot signs sooner than a scan shows that the cancer may return . Ultimately, this novel technology may become an important tool for doctors for diagnosing cancer, making treatment decisions, and determining how well a cancer is responding to therapies. Results from ongoing clinical trials are expected to help move liquid biopsies into clinical care, making them available to all patients.
Read about the potential of liquid biopsies:
- BreastCancer.org: Liquid Biopsy: What is it and When is it Used in Breast Cancer?
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer.org: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests
- Susan G. Komen.org: Where Liquid Biopsy Fits into Cancer Care
- BreastCancerTrialSearch: Clinical Trials for Liquid Biopsies
Last Modified on August 18, 2026