A new liquid biopsy blood test to improve lung cancer treatment is being rolled out in Wales.
Lung cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer in Wales and is also the leading cause of cancer deaths. It is hoped that by increasing the use of non-invasive liquid biopsy (blood sample) at an earlier stage of the cancer pathway, targeted treatments can be decided and administered quicker, improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
The new use of the blood test was made possible through the All-Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS), Illumina technology, Life Sciences Hub Wales, and investment from multiple partner organisations.
The blood test can detect multiple cancer markers without needing an invasive tissue biopsy.
A study will evaluate the benefits of liquid biopsy in people with suspected lung cancer and look at how its use earlier in the diagnostic process can improve and speed up diagnosis, reduce the time between diagnosis and treatment, and eventually inform how this technology can be rolled out to people with other types of suspected cancer.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said: "Wales has been leading the way in how we integrate genomic testing into health services to revolutionise how we deliver healthcare. Liquid biopsies could deliver real benefits for patients in Wales and save lives by helping us detect and treat cancers earlier.
"This is a key example of how working in partnership across a variety of sectors can contribute to improved health outcomes. This is part of our wider work to recover and transform services through the Diagnostic Strategy for Wales."
