A 'game-changing' cancer service that enables patients to receive genetic testing has been approved for nationwide rollout in England. The new technique, pioneered at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, preserves cancer samples at room temperature, eliminating the need for freezing and specialised transport.
This means that patients who would previously have faced delays or been unable to access testing due to logistical constraints can now benefit from the life-changing technology. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) can identify cancer types and causes, and provide vital information for treatment.
The service is currently available on the NHS for all children with cancer (up to age 25) and adults with certain cancers, including those with advanced ovarian cancers, triple negative breast cancers, and blood cancers. However, the new technique is expected to increase access to the service for a wider range of patients.
Dr John Tadross, a consultant molecular pathologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who pioneered the change, said: 'Whole genome sequencing can make a huge difference to a person's cancer journey, and it's vital that we remove barriers to testing so as many people as possible can benefit.'
The new technique has already been launched across the East of England, and is expected to be rolled out in other regions across England following its successful launch.