Check on DNA to aid survival

DNA testing for cancer patients – rarely carried out on the NHS – improves survival rates six-fold, a first major trial has shown.

Analysis of patients with tumours found the chances of living three more years rose by 50%. And 10-year survival rates increased by a factor of six.

Prof Apostolia Maria Tsimberidou, of the University of Texas, said all patients should have access to “next generation” tests as they were “dramatically improving outcomes”.