DNA Blood Test: Tailored Cancer Care in England
NHS England revolutionizes cancer care, offering a DNA blood test—a significant advancement for thousands of patients. This liquid biopsy approach,a primary_keyword,delivers rapid results,enabling swift access to tailored therapies for lung and breast cancer,representing a shift toward precision cancer treatment. This innovative strategy, detailed comprehensively at News Directory 3, boosts survival odds by leveraging the power of secondary_keyword, the DNA blood test, with the NHS leading the way with a blood-test-first approach. Discover how personalized medicine is transforming patient outcomes …
NHS England to Offer DNA Blood Test for Cancer Treatment
Updated May 29, 2025
Thousands of cancer patients in England are set to benefit from a new DNA blood test.This innovative approach allows doctors to quickly identify the specific genetic profile of a patient’s cancer, paving the way for personalized treatments and improved survival rates. The NHS will be the first in the world to offer this liquid biopsy for both lung and breast cancer, two of the most common forms of the disease.
The DNA blood test analyzes tiny fragments of tumor DNA, providing rapid results that enable doctors to immediately offer targeted therapies. This cancer treatment approach is expected to significantly increase patients’ chances of survival and marks a new era of precision medicine. The national scheme follows successful pilot programs that impressed senior doctors and NHS leaders.
The NHS is pioneering a “blood test-first” approach to diagnosing lung cancer, utilizing the test before traditional tissue biopsies. Patients provide a blood sample processed in NHS genomic labs, with results available within days. These results inform doctors about the most effective targeted therapy for each patient’s specific tumor.
Following the pilots, at least 15,000 patients with suspected lung cancer are expected to benefit annually. The NHS is also implementing the test for advanced breast cancer patients, screening for four genetic variations, with an estimated 5,000 women benefiting each year.
“Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care and it’s fantastic that we are now able to expand the use of this revolutionary test on the NHS to help tailor treatment for thousands of patients across the country,” said Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England’s clinical director for cancer.
According to an economic assessment, the test could save the NHS £11 million annually in lung cancer care alone. The NHS plans to extend the liquid biopsy program to other cancers, including pancreatic and gallbladder cancer.
“This represents a real step-change in care for eligible lung and breast cancer patients on the NHS,” said Prof Dame Sue Hill, the chief scientific officer for England.
Pilot data indicated that patients received DNA test results up to 16 days faster than with standard tissue biopsies. The DNA test also helped patients avoid repeat diagnostic procedures and needless treatments, such as chemotherapy, while improving their quality of life.
“Not only has it led to faster and more precise treatment for patients with lung cancer, but we have also been able to show that this is a cost-effective measure for the NHS and set up the framework to evaluate this in other cancers going forward,” said Prof Alastair Greystoke, co-clinical lead of the lung cancer pilots.
“Earlier access to highly effective targeted medicines allows more patients to avoid delays, start treatment early, and start the best treatment for their type of cancer. I am really pleased that we are now able to roll this out nationally,” said Prof Sanjay Popat, consultant medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden and co-clinical lead of the pilots.
What’s next
The NHS aims to expand the use of liquid biopsies to other forms of cancer, such as pancreatic and gallbladder cancer, further enhancing personalized treatment options and improving patient outcomes.