The report, led by Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) and Bristol’s Professor Kathreena Kurian, sets out the future of genomic testing based on a consensus from 41 professionals.

Each year, approximately 12,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour (1), and only 12 per cent of adults diagnosed will survive more than five years (2). NHS England has singled out brain tumours as one of the few conditions eligible to benefit from fully commissioned whole genome sequencing (WGS), meaning that every adult patient in England with a brain tumour is eligible to receive this test (3). This is important, as sequencing can pick up “actionable” mutations and help identify patients who may benefit from clinical trials.

A team at the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission set out to explore the adoption and roll-out of WGS testing, to see if patients from different areas in the UK benefit from equitable access. The newly published report reveals that less than 5% of adult patients with a brain tumour were accessing WGS in 2023, with inequalities between different regions. The report sets out in detail why the number is so low, with challenges ranging from tests taking multiple months to complete, a high burden of paper work and limited knowledge around interpreting the extensive results.

Notably, the report also highlights that genomic testing is further behind in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, when compared to England. The authors would like to work with policymakers in these nations to ensure their patients are not left behind.

Read the full University of Bristol news item

The full report can be read here