A new blood test is being offered to thousands of lung cancer patients in England, which can detect genetic variations and aid in early access to targeted therapies. This test allows some patients to receive pill-based treatments with fewer side effects instead of standard chemotherapy. One patient, Kat Robinson, benefited from this test, receiving targeted drug brigatinib, allowing her more time with her family. Over 2,000 patients have already undergone this test, with plans to offer it to 10,000 more across 80 NHS Trusts. The test analyzes circulating tumor DNA and has revealed effective treatments for patients like Kat, offering them improved quality of life and longer-term survival prospects. The NHS has negotiated discounts for these targeted drugs, making them more accessible. This innovation underscores the commitment of the NHS to provide cutting-edge treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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It’s amazing how far our treatments have developed
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This is such a game-changer for lung cancer patients! Do you think this kind of targeted therapy could become more common for other types of cancer too?
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A great improvement for sure! But what challenges do you foresee in ensuring equitable access to these innovative treatments for all patients?
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