Summary
The NHS has started using a new rapid test that can diagnose brain tumours in about two hours, compared to the previous wait of up to eight weeks. This test analyses the tumour's genetic code quickly, helping doctors start treatment sooner and reduce patient anxiety.Key Facts
- The new test reads the genetic code of a brain tumour using a small machine called a nanopore sequencer.
- It can give accurate results while the patient is still in surgery, unlike older methods that took weeks.
- Brain tumours vary widely in type and aggressiveness, affecting treatment options.
- The test was developed with help from the University of Nottingham and Oxford Nanopore.
- Surgery decisions can be better tailored based on the fast genetic results, balancing tumour removal with brain safety.
- Around 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with primary brain tumours each year; it is a leading cause of cancer deaths in young people.
- NHS England is piloting this test in specialist centres across the country.
- The test can also speed up access to clinical trials for new treatments.
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