DNA blood test to bring 'new era' of personalised cancer care in England

Thousands of cancer patients in England are to benefit from a DNA blood test that saves lives by fast-tracking them on to personalised treatments.

- Andrew Gregory

In a world-first, the NHS will offer patients with lung and breast cancer - two of the most common forms of the disease - a liquid biopsy that detects tiny fragments of tumour DNA.

Rapid results from the ground-breaking test mean patients can immediately be offered drugs and treatments specifically tailored to the genetic profile of their disease, significantly increasing their chances of survival and paving the way for a new era of precision medicine.

Details of the scheme were revealed on the eve of the world's largest cancer conference, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.

The launch comes after results from pilots of the test stunned senior doctors and NHS leaders.

Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England's clinical director for cancer, said: "Cutting-edge genomic testing is helping us deliver more targeted and kinder care for patients, enabling some to avoid more intensive treatments such as further chemotherapy, which can have a huge impact.

"We are already seeing the difference this test can make in lung and breast cancer - and we hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future."