Women with these type of breasts could have cancer missed by routine NHS scans
Better breast cancer screening could identify 3,500 more cancerous lumps every year and save hundreds of lives, research shows.
A new study in the Lancet has shown that two extra scans for women with dense breasts can pick up early-stage cancers that remain "hidden" during regular mammograms. Cambridge University scientists say these additional scans - which make blood vessels more visible during mammograms - should be offered as they would more than treble cancer detection.
Around 10% of women have very dense breasts, which means they have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
Study lead Professor Fiona Gilbert, of Cambridge University and honorary consultant radiologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, said: "Getting a cancer diagnosis early makes a huge difference for patients in terms of their treatment and outlook.
"We need to change our national screening programme so we can make sure more cancers are diagnosed early, giving many more women a much better chance of survival."
Those with dense breasts are already known to face a four-fold increased risk of breast cancer compared to women without. At the moment denser breasts look whiter on mammograms so standard scans cannot pick up all cancers. Early-stage cancers also appear white, meaning they are difficult to distinguish.
The BRAID trial was carried out on 9,361 women across the UK who have dense breasts and had a negative mammogram result. When additional scanning methods were offered an extra 85 cancers were found.
The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing this evidence and it could result in woman with dense breast tissue being offered extra scans on the NHS.
Louise's Story
Louise Duffield, age 60, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer as a result of the trial. The grandmother-of-four was invited to participate in 2023 following her regular mammogram screening, which showed that she had very dense breasts. As part of the trial, Louise had an AB-MRI scan which identified a small lump deep inside one of her breasts.
Louise, from Ely, in Cambridgeshire, said: 'When they rang to say they'd found something, it was a big shock. You start thinking all sorts of things but, in the end, I just thought, at least if they've found something, they've found it early. The staff were brilliant, and so supportive.'
Soon after the MRI, Louise had a biopsy that confirmed she had stage 0 - very early - breast cancer within the ducts of one of her breasts. Six weeks later Louise underwent surgery to remove the tumour, during that time the tumour had already grown larger than it appeared on the scans.
The location of Louise's tumour meant it would have been difficult for her to find it through self-examination, and since it was not detected during her regular mammogram it would have been at least three years before she was invited for another.
Louise said: 'It's been a stressful time and it's a huge relief to have it gone. The team have been fantastic throughout. The tumour was deep in the breast so, if I hadn't been on the trial, it could have gone unnoticed for years. I feel very lucky, it almost doesn't feel like I've really had cancer. Without this research I could have had a very different experience.'
The two extra scanning methods examined in the trial were contrast enhanced mammography (CEM), where dye is used to make blood vessels more visible, and abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (AB-MRI), which is faster than a regular MRI.
The experts calculated that adding either of these methods to existing breast screening could detect 3,500 more cancers per year in the UK. Researchers said that because screening reduces death for about 20% of cancers detected and this could mean an extra 700 lives saved each year.
Leading screening expert Professor Stephen Duffy, from Queen Mary University, London, said: "The NHS breast screening programme has made a huge difference to many lives. Thanks to these results, we can see that the technology exists to make screening even better, particularly for the 10% of women with dense breast tissue."
Dr David Crosby, head of prevention and early detection at Cancer Research UK, said: "This study shows that making blood vessels more visible during mammograms could make it much easier for doctors to spot signs of cancer in women with dense breasts. More research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of these techniques, but these results are encouraging."
A third scanning method used in the trial - automated whole breast ultrasound (ABUS) - also picked up cancers but was much less effective than CEM and AB-MRI. Overall, per 1,000 women scanned, CEM detected 19 cancers, while AB-MRI found 17 and ABUS found four.
With mammograms already detecting around eight cancers per 1,000 women with dense breasts, additional scans could therefore more than treble breast cancer detection. The trial was funded by Cancer Research UK with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.
Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, of charity Breast Cancer Now, said: "The UK National Screening Committee now needs to consider this research as part of their current review to determine whether women with very dense breasts should be offered additional imaging during their routine screening. If the UK National Screening Committee recommends additional imaging for screening women with very dense breasts, we'll push for those changes to be rolled out as quickly as possible across the UK.
"Routine breast screening is the most likely route to finding breast cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful. While we know that the current process can be less effective in detecting cancers in dense breasts, we still encourage all women to attend mammogram screening when invited."
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Research is being conducted into the use of additional tests for women with dense breasts, as part of the NHS breast screening programme. The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing this evidence as it becomes available."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 minutes ago
- The Sun
Four NEW types of autism revealed – what they mean and the signs to look for as 700,000 in UK now have condition
OUR understanding of autism has come a long way, and now, researchers believe they have found four new distinct autism subtypes. It could help narrow down the type of help each patient needs - but some experts say it's a potential 'step backwards'. Around 700,000 people in the UK are believed to have autism - a lifelong condition that affects how they experience and interact with the wider world. Diagnoses are on the rise; rates are up 787 per cent in England from 1998 to 2018, and experts warn the NHS is becoming 'overwhelmed' by the influx. Dr Rebecca Ker, practitioner psychologist and clinical director of Carlton Psychology Ltd, tells Sun Health: "Yes, autism rates have increased hugely - by 787 per cent in England over the past 20 years. 2The reality is, that rise is down to our greater awareness and understanding of the condition and a broadening of the diagnostic criteria we use to define it." Features include difficulties with communication and interaction, repetitive behaviours or limited interests. It can also affect learning and development. In the last few years, focus has shifted towards acknowledging people's strengths and differences - not their 'deficits'. Now, groundbreaking research from Princeton University and the Simons Foundation has discovered there may be four distinct autism subtypes, each with its own genetic signature. The news could potentially usher in a 'huge shift in terms of conceptualising autism,' Dr Ker says. She says: 'In the past we've understood autism as being highly genetic, so very likely to run in families, and researchers have been looking for the gene that explains that. 'They found one, then another, and we've realised it's much more complicated. 'Instead of finding the one piece to the puzzle, research now suggests actually it could be four different puzzles.' The scientists analysed data and DNA from 5,000 children with autism. Grouping 230 traits - including developmental milestones, social skills and repetitive behaviours - they identified four subtypes and even found the brain could be affected by genetic changes after birth. Dr Ker says: 'That they've managed to group clusters of behaviours with distinct genetics is fascinating. 'But it is early days for understanding how it will impact clinical practice.' Everyone with autism is different, including their needs. So in the UK, patients' needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis, rather than by type. But elsewhere in the world, autism may be labelled based on severity (levels 1, 2 and 3) based on a handbook called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which doctors use to help diagnose mental health conditions. In the UK, the focus has shifted away from rigid labels or categories. Dr Ker adds: 'This focus on genetics and subsets feels like a step backwards in some ways. 'There's a potential to oversimplify, reducing people to one of these categories.' Here are the subtypes explained… THE 4 SUBTYPES EXPLAINED 1. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES These individuals accounted for 37 per cent of the study group and are described as 'having quite typical autism in terms of social difficulties and repetitive behaviours,' says Dr Ker. That could mean missing social cues, finding social situations stressful, and repeating phrases or physical movements like rocking or hand flapping. Dr Ker says: 'However, they are reaching developmental milestones at the same age as their peers - walking and talking on time." Crucially, this group was considered more likely to have difficulties alongside their autism, like OCD, depression and anxiety. 'Existing in a world that's geared up to neurotypical people is anxiety-inducing,' notes Dr Ker, who adds: 'Some of this group might have ADHD as well. 'That pulls them towards spontaneous adventure-seeking and social interaction for the stimulus; however, their autism makes it draining, and they need to plan the heck out of it, and then recover from it.' Some of the genes connected to this subtype were already on scientists' radar in relation to ADHD. But Dr Ker says: 'The gene mutation they link to this profile was active after birth - particularly in brain cells involved in social and emotional processing.' As a result, traits can show up beyond childhood. In recent years, a rise in awareness on platforms like TikTok has meant more people, like actor Bella Ramsey, are noticing autism traits and getting diagnoses in adulthood. 'These kinds of individuals we might see coming for assessments in early adolescence or later in life, when they self-identify that the things they find hard might relate to the autism spectrum,' says Dr Ker. SUPPORT: While anyone who suspects they have autism should reach out for support, what works best may be more tailorable to these new subtypes of autism. Dr Ker says: 'Mental health services are important for this subtype; helping them understand in a really useful and affirmative way how to explain the things they find difficult and uncomfortable, and to help reduce anxiety. 'Mental health services can support depression and low mood, and specialist clinicians who understand neurodivergence can adapt support to be accessible and neuroaffirmative. 'Getting a diagnosis later in life can bring a huge sense of relief, but can also present different challenges. 'Often we have to think about how we reframe things we went through earlier [in life]. 'Post-diagnostic support becomes really important. 'These people might need flexible schooling plans; huge secondary schools might not be a good fit for these individuals.' 2. MIXED AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY DEVELOPMENTAL delay is a significant aspect of this subtype, which accounted for 19 per cent of the study group. Dr Ker says: '[Individuals are] hitting their milestones later and their developmental delay was more likely to be spotted early on, in that the child was developing differently to peers. 'Parents are often very conscious of when their child is walking compared to peers, talking, toileting, whether they're playing in the same way as their peers, playing pretend games, pointing, and interested in the world around them. 'Those differences would be apparent early on.' This subtype was "considered at lower risk of disorders like anxiety or ADHD' and had inherited genes. Dr Ker says: 'Mutation genes were active during pre-natal brain development, which would explain its expression early on.' 5 SUPPORT: EARLY access to support is vital for this subtype. Dr Ker says that could include: 'Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, equipping the family to understand and receive indirect support to make as much of the individual's environment autism friendly, coaching parents to feel confident to understand their children and offering family support. 'For school, it might be that more specialist learning environments were appropriate.' 3. MODERATE CHALLENGES MORE than a third (34 per cent) of the study group had what was described as 'moderate challenges'. She says: 'We've moved away from talking about 'severe' or 'less severe', or that linear idea of autism [as a spectrum], because it's a huge over-simplification. '[But] it can still be really difficult, even if you are able to mask difficulties well.' She says people may also see these challenges are 'mild', with traits including 'difficulties with social and repetitive behaviours, but not as intensely as described in the earlier groups,' says Dr Ker. '[Individuals are] hitting their developmental milestones on time, and they're not considered at high risk of the mental health conditions, so [there's] a lower overall impact,' she explains. But she adds: 'We are still describing significant areas of difficulty [which are] potentially less visible to others.' SUPPORT: 'IN theory, this subset might have lower support needs,' says Dr Ker. 'Mentoring schemes, having a positive relationship with their diagnosis and having someone to check in with [like a psychologist or clinician] regularly can help this group.' On a practical, day-to-day level, she adds: 'It might be planning ahead for things we know are often difficult for autistic individuals.' That could include prepping for 'huge [life] changes, transitions, high stress environments, and environments where the demands are going to be not very autism friendly' - like busy, crowded places that can trigger sensory overload. 4. BROADLY AFFECTED THIS subtype is the most severely impacted and accounted for 10 per cent of the study group. 'Interestingly, the research says they have genetic mutations that are less inherited from families,' notes Dr Ker, which is in contrast to the Mixed Autism Spectrum Disorder Developmental Delay subtype. But characteristics and traits are still noticeable very early on, including 'significant developmental delays, communication difficulties and repetitive behaviours', says Dr Ker. 5 This may look like not walking or playing as expected, or having significant delays in speech and language development. They may profoundly struggle with social situations and have highly sensitive responses to certain sounds, lights, textures and more. '[They] are more at risk for things like anxiety or depression,' adds Dr Ker. SUPPORT: LIKE those in the second subtype, early support is crucial, says Dr Ker: 'It might be that they have specialist education requirements. 'They might need more practical, basic needs being supported.' For instance, they may require full-time, life-long care and help with day-to-day activities, meaning their families may need additional, ongoing-support. The key characteristics of autism - and why they go unnoticed By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor MODEL Christine McGuinness was a 'recluse' for eight years and only left the house at 3am. Springwatch presenter Chris Packham says it makes him a 'task-centric workaholic who sees problems in everything he does'. And recently, Bella Ramsey revealed they were diagnosed after struggling to wear thermals on the set of The Last of Us. But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone? Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at Clinical Partners, tells Sun Health: 'Autism is considered a spectrum, so not all people share the same traits. 'Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as 'high' and 'low' functioning or definitions of 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' aren't helpful and can be misleading. 'Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.' About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism - that's one in 100. But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed. Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022. Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of The Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic, says: 'Conversation around neurodiversity is becoming normalised, and that's so positive to see. But more awareness is needed. 'Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.' Autism has long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships. But research published in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours - like rocking or finger-flicking - and special interests - whether it's TV shows or specific animals - are more indicative of an autism diagnosis. Generally though, experts say the core characteristics include… Sensitivity - autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells. For example, they find bright lights or crowded spaces overwhelming, Leanne says. They may also stand too close to others or need to move their whole body to look at something. Stimming - to manage this sensory overload, some people use repetitive movements or sounds. 'This is called stimming, and includes rocking, tapping and hand-flapping,' Dr Warlow says. 'Though it's something everyone does to some extent, those with autism are likely to engage with it as a form of self-regulation.' Masking - this is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or not, to match neurotypical people, Dr Warlow says. 'It's a way of hiding your true characteristics, and could involve copying facial expressions, planning conversations in advance, or holding in 'stimming' - swapping hand clapping with playing with a pen, for example,' she adds. Burnout - this is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and is a common feature in autism. 'Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,' Dr Warlow says. 'Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.' Social struggles - socialising can be confusing or tiring for autistic people. They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends. Leanne says: 'In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.' Routine - many of us have a fairly regular daily schedule. But for autistic people, this becomes a 'very strong preference for routine', Leanne says. This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing. Literal thinking - some autistic people have a literal view of language - like believing it's actually 'raining cats and dogs' or that someone really wants you to 'break a leg'. Dr Warlow says: 'This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests. 'For instance, being told to 'pull your socks up' might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.' Hyperfocus - often associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people. 'It's where you're able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,' Dr Warlow says. 'This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.' Special interests - we all have hobbies and interests, but for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them. 'Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,' Dr Warlow says. 'These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult. 'Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK's best-loved natural world TV presenters. WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR YOU SO, what could the discovery of these subsets mean for neurodivergent individuals? Senior study author, Olga Troyanskaya, said of the research: 'Understanding the genetics of autism is essential for enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and guiding personalised care.' However, Dr Ker has some reservations. 'At the moment, the way we diagnose autism involves a team of specialists,' she explains. DNA testing is not routine, but spending time with the patient and hearing about their behaviours from family and friends, is. 'There's much more of an emphasis on a lived experience and understanding the role of trauma or their parents' experience,' Dr Ker says. Fearing that subtyping will reinforce stereotypes, she adds: 'Will it be that someone in a group that's considered more mild finds it harder to access support than they did before? 'A lot of people who've had to fight hard for their diagnosis are always nervous at proposed changes, because their trust in the system is damaged by having to fight so hard for the support they have. 'I think this study will inspire more research, and it may influence applied clinical practice down the line, but people shouldn't be too worried about any imminent, drastic changes.' The 10-question autism test TO get an official autism diagnosis, you need to be assessed by a healthcare professional. But if you think your or your child might have the condition, there is a simple quiz called the AQ-10 that you can use to help support your suspicions. The AQ-10 was developed by The Autism Research Centre at The University of Cambridge, and it is recommended to be used as an autism screening tool by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The assessment tool — used by NHS doctors — does not confirm whether you are on the spectrum. Instead, it is used to screen people who might be. A version for children is also available. These questions are not symptoms. They are statements - some are indicative of autism and others are not - in which you agree or disagree on a scale. For children For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Disagree'. S/he often notices small sounds when others do not S/he usually concentrates more on the whole picture, rather than the small details In a social group, s/he can easily keep track of several different people's conversations S/he finds it easy to go back and forth between different activities S/he doesn't know how to keep a conversation going with his/her peers S/he is good at social chit-chat When s/he is read a story, s/he finds it difficult to work out the character's intentions or feelings When s/he was in preschool, s/he used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children S/he finds it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face S/he finds it hard to make new friends Only 1 point can be scored for each question. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 5, 7 and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9. If the individual scores more than 6 out of 10, they will be considered for a specialist diagnostic assessment. For adults For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Disagree'. I often notice small sounds when others do not I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details I find it easy to do more than one thing at once If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly I find it easy to 'read between the lines' when someone is talking to me I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored When I'm reading a story I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g. types of car, types of bird, types of train, types of plant etc) I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face I find it difficult to work out people's intentions Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 7, 8, and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. If you score more than 6 out of 10, a healthcare professional will consider referring you for a specialist diagnostic assessment.
South Wales Argus
41 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Solar farm plans could help revive Gwent Levels and local wildlife
The Gwent Levels—a unique and historically rich wetland landscape—faces two major threats: climate change and intensive farming practices. Climate change is already reshaping the UK's environment through extreme weather events, from droughts to record-breaking rainfall. 2025, for example, saw one of the driest starts to the year on record. These dramatic shifts place huge pressure on wildlife, particularly species reliant on stable, wetland ecosystems. The second threat is more complex. Welsh farmers today face unprecedented financial pressures due to rising energy and fuel costs. In the struggle to remain viable, many turn to intensive farming methods—practices that often rely on chemical pesticides and fertilisers. These can run off into nearby watercourses, damaging the very ecosystems that make the Gwent Levels a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Monoculture farming also provides little space for biodiversity, particularly for insects, birds, and amphibians that depend on more varied, undisturbed contrast, solar farms—when carefully planned and managed—offer a powerful opportunity to restore biodiversity. At Craig Y Perthi, for example, the project includes over 129 acres of permanent wildflower meadows (equivalent to 81 football pitches), planted with species such as red clover and bird's-foot trefoil to support the native Shrill Carder Bee and other vital pollinators associated with the Gwent Levels SSSI. Figure 2 – Photo taken of a hoverfly pollinating a thistle on an operational RWE site in Warwickshire. By eliminating pesticide use on these sites, conditions improve dramatically for a wide range of insects, which in turn provide a vital foraging opportunity for birds, bats, and small mammals. Recent studies from Lancaster University[1] and Cambridge University[2] (in partnership with the RSPB) confirm that solar farms can significantly boost populations of pollinators and farmland birds compared to nearby arable plots. Tree and hedgerow planting is another key feature. The Craig Y Perthi scheme includes over 11.3km of new hedgerows, enhancing habitat connectivity for bats and birds while utilising existing farm gates for access to minimise disruption to existing hedging on-site. The Gwent Levels are already in decline under the current 'do-nothing' scenario. Ground-nesting birds like the lapwing, once a more common sight, have seen sharp declines due to habitat loss and farming intensification. In the area proposed for the Craig Y Perthi site, lapwing numbers fell by 62% between 2021 and 2024 alone[3]—mirroring the wider picture of decline; since 1967 UK lapwing numbers have dropped by 55%[4]. Figure 3 - An operational RWE site in Leicestershire with a wildflower mix growing in the foreground between the hedge and the deer fence To address this, the proposed Craig Y Perthi solar project includes a 30-acre parcel of land specifically designed to support lapwing breeding, protected with predator fencing and seeded with appropriate vegetation. Monitoring from the nearby Llanwern solar farm, required as part of the site's planning permission, has shown some encouraging results. Adaptive land management strategies are already improving outcomes for invertebrates—an essential component of the SSSI's ecological value. Furthermore, concerns over water pollution linked to solar installations have been addressed: monitoring has shown no evidence that nearby water quality issues were caused by the solar farm. The Welsh Government also commissioned a desktop assessment of existing development in the levels, which provided further food for thought. Solar energy is a crucial part of Wales' transition to a low-carbon future. But it's not just about climate change—these projects also offer a rare opportunity to reverse biodiversity loss. When planned with care, solar farms can replace low-diversity monocultures with rich habitats, free from chemicals and tailored to the needs of wildlife. 'It's simply not accurate to label solar farms as inherently harmful to the Gwent Levels,' Johnson explains. 'When done right, they could be the very key to preserving this extraordinary landscape for future generations.' Robin Johnson is a trained ecologist and a member of the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management. Having worked for a number of wildlife conservation charities, he currently works for RWE on schemes such as the Craig Y Perthi, a 99.9MW solar farm proposed on mostly poor-quality farmland between the M4 and the Llanwern Steel works, and adjacent to the village of Bishton in Newport. A planning application for the scheme was submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) in April 2024, had hearings in March 2025 with a decision expected in late 2025. The plans are being brought forward by Wales' largest renewable energy generator, RWE, and would generate enough affordable, renewable energy to meet the equivalent needs of around 45,374 Welsh homes per annum, saving over 3,180,000 tonnes of CO2 in the process - the equivalent of planting over 52 million trees[5]. You can find out more about the scheme at [1] Blaydes et al (2024); New evidence shows UK solar parks can provide for bees and butterflies
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Millions of diabetes patients could be given weight loss jabs sooner
New draft guidance from Nice proposes a significant overhaul of type 2 diabetes care in England, moving towards personalised treatment to prevent serious complications. SGLT-2 inhibitors, which protect the heart and kidneys, are recommended as a first-line treatment option, potentially saving nearly 22,000 lives. The guidelines aim to address the current under-prescription of SGLT-2 inhibitors, particularly among women, older people, and black patients, to reduce health inequalities. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, are also suggested for earlier use in some patients, alongside tailored recommendations for specific conditions. This shift represents a holistic approach to type 2 diabetes management, focusing on cardiovascular and kidney health, and is open for public consultation until 2 October.
