text_1: Prostate cancer blood test could transform treatment, say scientists
text_2: This story describes a potential advance in precision medicine. Certain cancer therapeutics target tumors that have specific characteristics, such as the so-called PARP inhibitors. A diagnostic test to see if those specific characteristic exist, such as the liquid biopsy test described here, could help select patients most likely to benefit. Unfortunately, this article is essentially a rewrite of the news release, glossing over the measured benefits, the costs, the harms–and much more. There are many details of this study that warrant critical examination. Readers won’t be well-served by this story that parrots the PR promotions.