July 5, 2017 Credit: Cancer Research UK <\/p>\n
Cancer patients should have routine access to genetic testing to improve diagnosis and treatment, according to England's chief medical officer. <\/p>\n
Despite the UK being a world leader in genomic medicine its full potential is still not being realised, Professor Dame Sally Davies said in a new report. <\/p>\n
Davies urged clinicians and the Government to work together and make wider use of new genetic techniques in an attempt to improve cancer survival rates. <\/p>\n
Genetic testing can pinpoint the faults in DNA that have led to a cancer forming. Different cancers have different faults, and these determine which treatments may or may not work. <\/p>\n
Such testing could lead to patients being diagnosed faster and receiving more targeted or precise treatments. <\/p>\n
Davies said that \"the age of precision medicine is now\" and that the NHS must act quickly to remain world class. <\/p>\n
\"This technology has the potential to change medicine forever but we need all NHS staff, patients and the public to recognise and embrace its huge potential.\" said Davies. <\/p>\n
Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, agreed, saying that it would be a disservice to patients if the UK were slow to respond to innovations in this area. <\/p>\n
The report recommends that within 5 years training should be available to current and future clinicians and that all patients should be being offered genomic tests just as readily as they're given MRI scans today. <\/p>\n
Davies also called for research and international collaboration to be prioritised, along with investment in research and services so that patients across the country have equal access. <\/p>\n
However the report recognises potential challenges such as data protection issues and attitudes of clinicians and the public. <\/p>\n
\"This timely report from the chief medical officer showcases just how much is now possible in genomics research and care within the NHS,\" added Sir Kumar. <\/p>\n
\"Cancer Research UK is determined to streamline research, to find the right clinical trial for cancer patients and to ensure laboratory discoveries benefit patients\". <\/p>\n
And the design of clinical trials are starting to change. A number of trials are underway, like Cancer Research UK's National Lung Matrix Trial with AstraZeneca and Pfizer, where patients with a certain type of lung cancer are assigned a specific treatment based on the genetic makeup of their cancer. <\/p>\n
However, Sir Harpal Kumar stressed that to bring the report's vision to life the Government, the NHS, regulators and research funders need to act together. <\/p>\n
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Cancer Research UK is partnering with pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Pfizer to create a pioneering clinical trial for patients with advanced lung cancer marking a new era of research into personalised medicines ... <\/p>\n
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Greater access to genetic testing needed for cancer diagnosis and treatment - Medical Xpress<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" July 5, 2017 Credit: Cancer Research UK Cancer patients should have routine access to genetic testing to improve diagnosis and treatment, according to England's chief medical officer. Despite the UK being a world leader in genomic medicine its full potential is still not being realised, Professor Dame Sally Davies said in a new report. Davies urged clinicians and the Government to work together and make wider use of new genetic techniques in an attempt to improve cancer survival rates. Continue reading