Quebec re-examining breast cancer study

Medical specialistsaredouble-checkinga new studyindicatingas many as 30 per cent of breast cancer tests conducted in Quebec may have produced faulty results, the province's health minister said Saturday.

After a meeting with top epidemiologists,Yves Bolduc told reporters his department will be talking to more experts on Sunday to ensure women who may be affected have correct information and "can take action quickly," he said.

"I'm asking them to do an evaluation of the study and tell me whether it was done properly," he said. "I think that it was done properly, but I'm wondering if their findings can be applied toall pathology testing in Quebec."

"I am determinedto take the appropriate actions immediately to ensurethe qualityand safety of all pathology tests carried out in Quebec," Bolduc said.

The province has said it's prepared to order new tests for breast-cancer patients in light of the study, conductedunder the supervision of the Quebec Pathology Association. The association looked at 25 of the province's 140 pathology labs andtook 15 breast cancer tissue samples tooutside labs for retesting.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest on Friday said the province "will do whatever needs to be done," once the report is reviewed. "If there are things to be changed, we will do it."

The study showed that tests aimed at identifying markers for hormone therapy were flawed in 15 per cent to 20 per cent of cases. Up to 30 per cent of tests for the HER2 protein marker were deemed flawed.

Minister stresses errors found in'smallsample'

Bolduc said experts cannot extrapolate the information made public and say that up to 30 per cent of the 6,000 women in Quebec diagnosed with breast cancer each year are not receiving the correct treatment.

The minister said experts reviewing the findings will hold a news conference on Monday afternoon.

"This is something that's moving quickly, and I want things to move quickly so we have accurate information," he said.

Bolduc said his officials plan to devote all their "attention and energy" to finding answers. However, while the province needs to act quickly, it should not move in a "precipitated manner," he added.

On Friday, Bolduc had stressed that the study only considered a "small sample."

A situation involving botched breast cancer tests emerged in Newfoundland and Labrador last year. A lab in St. John's had given inaccurate hormone receptor test results to 386 patients over an eight-year period. Of those women, more than 100 died.