All cancer patients should have their DNA tested to save lives
I realise there are obvious privacy issues here, but even the most ardent libertarian would surely think improving your chances of beating cancer outweigh the risks?
Quote:
All cancer patients should have their DNA tested to save lives, Chief Medical Officer says
Every cancer patient in Britain should undergo DNA gene sequencing to prevent the misery of misdiagnosis, needless hospital visits and ineffective chemotherapy, the Chief Medical Officer has said.
In her annual report, Dame Sally Davies, said it was time to end the ‘diagnostic odyssey’ which left the average patient with a rare disease forced to consult five different doctors and wait four years before a correct diagnosis.
Dame Sally said the NHS must embrace DNA testing which, from a small sample of blood or saliva, can correctly identify not just illnesses but also specific genetic mutations which play a dramatic role in success of treatments.
Launching her new report, ‘Generation Genome,’ she said that within three to five years centralised laboratories should be established to handle widespread DNA testing, and patients would soon view genetic screening as normal part of their treatment, just like an MRI scan today.
“The age of precision medicine is now and the NHS must act fast to keep its place at the forefront of global science,” said Dame Sally.
“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.
“Genomic medicine has huge implications for the understanding and treatment of rare disease, cancer and infections - ending the diagnostic odyssey and tailoring the treatment for more patients than ever before.
“I want all appropriate patients to get the opportunity. My dream is in the end that every patient gets their genome done if they’ve got cancer.”
The report was welcomed by Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, who said it was crucial to ‘push the boundaries of modern science’ to benefit NHS patients.
More than 350,000 people a year are diagnosed with cancer in Britain and around 163,000 people will die from their condition.
Traditionally cancer has been defined by where it lives in the body, such as the prostate or breast, but increasingly scientists are finding that it is more helpful to classify tumours by their genetic make-up. For example two types of breast cancer may respond differently to the same drug, while a genetically similar tumour in the breast and prostate may be combated effectively with the same treatment.
Personalised drugs would end the ‘trial and error’ approach often applied to cancer medication, while bringing fewer side effects, quicker remission and huge cost savings to the NHS, Dame Sally’s report concluded.
A recent study into genetic testing for breast cancer found that up to half of early-stage patients could be spared chemotherapy after surgery because their DNA showed they had an ultra-low chance of it returning.
There are currently 25 small laboratories in Britain running DNA testing for a handful of conditions at around £600 a time. But the new report suggested that the costs could be slashed dramatically it they were brought under a centralised system.
Dame Sally also called for a National Genomics Board to be set up and said training in genetics should be given to all existing clinicians. The report also recommended that The National Screening Committee should conduct an evaluation into whether rolling out genetic screening nationally would be beneficial for public health.
Under the new plans patients would also be encouraged to allow their genetic data to be used in studies and clinical trials. Addressing concerns that hackers could steal sensitive DNA data, Dame Sally said that whole genomes were ‘too big to export’ from central databases, and patients should be reassured that the benefits far outweighed the risks.
Previous recommendations made by Dame Sally in her previous annual reports, including measures to combat antibacterial resistance, have generally been adopted by the health service.
Mr Hunt said: “We should be incredibly proud that over the past five years the UK has established itself as a world leader in genomic medicine.
“Tens of thousands of patients across the country have already benefited from quicker diagnosis, precise treatment and care and we will support the NHS to continue its relentless drive to push the boundaries of modern science and benefit even more people.”
The Medical Research Council described Dame Sally’s findings as ‘far sighted.’
Professor Sir John Savill, Chief Executive of the MRC, said: “This is a landmark report of great national importance.”
The report was also welcomed by cancer charities who said that it could help save lives.
Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “This timely report from the Chief Medical Officer showcases just how much is now possible in genomics research and care within the NHS.
“Further understanding and application of genomics will be essential to successfully tackling cancer and saving many more lives from this devastating disease.”
All cancer patients should have their DNA tested to save lives, Chief Medical Officer says
