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.