Thousands of people with lung cancer in Wales are to benefit from a new diagnostic blood test that checks for cancer DNA, meaning a quicker diagnosis and better treatment options for patients. Lung cancer is often diagnosed in latter stages and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK, as well as being more prevalent in disadvantaged communities. About 1,900 people in Wales die from the disease every year. The test, which is a simple blood test that looks for DNA fragments from growing and multiplying cancer cells that are shed into the bloodstream, can also be used to monitor how well treatment is working. Samples are analysed to build a picture of the cancer’s genetic code which can help determine the best course of treatment.
Phillip Marks, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, had already been told he had incurable lung cancer but doctors were struggling to find out its exact type and decide on the best form of treatment until the results of the new blood test came through and showed he might respond well to two tablets. Mr Marks said there was an immediate difference. “From not being able to eat half a plate of pasta, I woke up on Sunday morning and my partner asked me what I wanted to do, and I said to her ‘how about a carvery?’ She just burst into tears.” Mr Marks is one of thousands of people with lung cancer who is likely to benefit from the new test.
“It’s not only important to know whether or not there’s actually cancer there and what stage it is, it’s important to know what biomarker this cancer has because there could initially be more than 10 treatment options,” said Dr Magdelena Meissner, chief investigator of the QuicDNA study. “This [test] means as soon as someone is diagnosed they can start treatment with a targeted therapy.” Some money had already been raised for the project. But a further £300,000 was needed to get it off the ground. Former rugby boss Craig Maxwell, who has stage 4 liver and bone cancer, asked experts what could be done to help speed up diagnosis and that’s when he learnt about the QuicDNA project. He managed to raise the money needed, surpassing the target by raising almost £1.5m. The extra funding will help experts explore how liquid biopsies might be used to detect and screen for other cancers.
However, experts warn that huge challenges remain. Cancer survival rates in Wales and across the UK lag behind many developed countries. Prof Tom Crosby, clinic director of cancer in Wales said: “Patients are waiting too long from the point of time when they are told they may have cancer to actually starting their first treatment. The demand is outstripping the capacity we have that’s mostly about the workforce and the machines… and we need more of those, but we also need to do more with what we have.” Prof Crosby also added that the new test was a positive step that could help Wales “get ahead of the game” and offer hope to many
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