Call for genetic breast cancer screening for all

A study has suggested that hundreds of lives a year could be saved by offering genetic screening to every woman diagnosed with breast cancer.

Currently screening is only offered to those with risk factors such as a close family history of breast cancer. However, researchers say that by offering screening to everyone would enable women to make informed treatment decisions and allow family members to take preventative action, and would also be cost-effective for the NHS.

The study, which was published in JAMA Oncology, involved the research of data on 11,800 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, the USA and the UK.

Study leader Ranjit Manchanda, professor of gynaecological oncology at Barts Cancer Institute and the Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine, said “We should be testing more.

“This approach can ensure that more women can take preventative action to reduce their cancer risk or undertake regular screening.”

Athena Lamniosis, chief executive of charity Eve Appeal, said “This study provides exciting evidence that offering screening to women at the point of diagnosis could save lives.”

A spokesperson from NHS England said “The new era of personalised medicine can bring life-changing benefits to patients which is why the NHS has committed to expanding genomic testing for patients with cancer as part of the Long Term Plan to transform care for millions of people across the country.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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