A revolutionary blood test that can fast-track cancer diagnosis and treatment is now being rolled out across NHS hospitals in England. Known as a liquid biopsy, the test is set to help patients with suspected lung and advanced breast cancer receive targeted therapies up to two weeks earlier—sometimes even avoiding further invasive tests and chemotherapy altogether.
This makes the NHS the first health system in the world to adopt a “blood test-first” approach to diagnosing suspected lung cancer, prioritising genomic insights ahead of traditional tissue biopsies.
How it worksThe test works by detecting tiny fragments of tumour DNA, known as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), in a patient’s blood. By identifying specific genetic mutations, doctors can determine which targeted treatments will be most effective for each individual.
Pilot data showed that for lung cancer, the liquid biopsy could deliver critical genetic results 16 days faster than the standard tissue biopsy. This quicker turnaround allows eligible patients to begin more effective treatments sooner and avoid unnecessary procedures.
Who benefitsThe rollout is expected to benefit:
Breast and lung cancers are among the most common in England, with around 50,000 breast cancer cases and 40,000 lung cancer cases diagnosed annually.
What NHS experts sayAccording to Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer: “Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care… we are already seeing the difference this test can make in lung and breast cancer – and we hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future.”
The test isn’t just faster—it also has potential to improve quality of life by reducing unnecessary treatments. Patients who undergo the liquid biopsy may avoid repeated scans or chemotherapy that may not be suited to their cancer’s genetic profile.
Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England, called the new approach a “real step-change in care”, adding that the technology is “transforming care and helping clinicians match patients earlier with potentially life-extending targeted therapies.”
The bigger pictureThe NHS Genomic Medicine Service is leading the implementation. Experts say it’s not just about speed—it’s also about cost-effectiveness. An independent analysis estimated the NHS could save up to £11 million annually in lung cancer care alone by using the liquid biopsy approach.
Looking ahead, the NHS is exploring the test’s use in other hard-to-diagnose cancers like pancreatic and gallbladder cancer.
As Professor Alastair Greystoke, co-clinical lead of the pilot, summed it up: “This is the first ever national implementation of a ‘liquid biopsy first’ approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer.”
With this rollout, the NHS is not only cutting down diagnosis times but also reshaping how cancer care is delivered, turning a simple blood draw into a gateway for life-saving, precision treatment.
This makes the NHS the first health system in the world to adopt a “blood test-first” approach to diagnosing suspected lung cancer, prioritising genomic insights ahead of traditional tissue biopsies.
How it worksThe test works by detecting tiny fragments of tumour DNA, known as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), in a patient’s blood. By identifying specific genetic mutations, doctors can determine which targeted treatments will be most effective for each individual.
Pilot data showed that for lung cancer, the liquid biopsy could deliver critical genetic results 16 days faster than the standard tissue biopsy. This quicker turnaround allows eligible patients to begin more effective treatments sooner and avoid unnecessary procedures.
Who benefitsThe rollout is expected to benefit:
- Up to 15,000 patients with suspected lung cancer each year
- Around 5,000 women with advanced breast cancer, particularly those whose previous treatments have failed
Breast and lung cancers are among the most common in England, with around 50,000 breast cancer cases and 40,000 lung cancer cases diagnosed annually.
What NHS experts sayAccording to Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer: “Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care… we are already seeing the difference this test can make in lung and breast cancer – and we hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future.”
The test isn’t just faster—it also has potential to improve quality of life by reducing unnecessary treatments. Patients who undergo the liquid biopsy may avoid repeated scans or chemotherapy that may not be suited to their cancer’s genetic profile.
Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England, called the new approach a “real step-change in care”, adding that the technology is “transforming care and helping clinicians match patients earlier with potentially life-extending targeted therapies.”
Looking ahead, the NHS is exploring the test’s use in other hard-to-diagnose cancers like pancreatic and gallbladder cancer.
As Professor Alastair Greystoke, co-clinical lead of the pilot, summed it up: “This is the first ever national implementation of a ‘liquid biopsy first’ approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer.”
With this rollout, the NHS is not only cutting down diagnosis times but also reshaping how cancer care is delivered, turning a simple blood draw into a gateway for life-saving, precision treatment.
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