Latest news with #NHSEngland
The Sun
6 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
I get a burning sensation around my right breast when I go for a walk – should I be worried?
AROUND 1.2billion prescriptions are dispensed here yearly. Almost half of the calls to pharmacies are from patients asking if their medicine is ready. But it has just got a lot easier to find this information via the NHS app. Millions can now track if their prescription is ready to collect or has been dispatched. It is a new feature that NHS England says nearly 1,500 high street chemists are offering. The NHS app, which now has 37.4million users has made ordering prescriptions streamlined. About 5.5million repeat prescriptions are ordered through the app each month. These are sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy. Digital prescription barcodes are created for those who do not have a nominated pharmacy. Scotland is developing its own app, Digital Front Door, which is expected by the end of this year. These apps help free up time for both GPs and pharmacists so they can see more patients. Here's a selection of what readers asked me this week. Cardiologist explains when chest pains aren't a heart attack FEAR OVER IRON LEVEL Q: FOR the past two and a half years, my nine-year-old daughter has struggled with increasing her iron levels. She has been on iron supplements, increased vitamin C and iron-rich foods. Although her iron levels have gone from eight to 33, at the highest, it has recently taken another dip. She is often tired but has ten hours of sleep each night and she has very little stamina for any physical activity. She is not overweight or inactive, though. We are frustrated at getting no real answers or solutions. What more can we do? A: It sounds as though you are taking some sensible steps to try to help your daughter overcome her iron deficiency, but the problem keeps coming back. My assumption is that the numbers you have shown are a measurement of her ferritin levels, an indication of iron stores and the most reliable initial blood test for iron deficiency. In general, a ferritin level of less than 15 micrograms/L indicates there is very little iron available for use in the body, while levels of less than 30 micrograms/L means there is less iron available for various functions, including red blood cell production. If left untreated, this can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, so it is important to get to the bottom of this. An inadequate diet is the commonest cause of iron deficiency, but it sounds as though your daughter is eating plenty of iron-rich foods and taking vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb iron. Some conditions of the gut lead to poor absorption of nutrients, for example, coeliac disease. Has she been tested for this? Also conditions which cause the body to lose small amounts of blood can cause iron deficiency. Periods are an obvious cause, but your daughter is too young (but this could exacerbate the problem in the future). Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and colitis) and even taking anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) frequently can cause small but persistent blood loss. It sounds as though your daughter will need to restart some oral iron medication again while these are investigated. When the blood level is back to normal, the iron treatment should continue for at least three months to build up iron in the body. If the problem persists with no clear answers, then she may need to be referred to a paediatrician for further investigations. WALKING IS SO PAINFUL, BUT WHY? Q: I AM a male, 73, and I get a burning sensation around my right breast to my right shoulder blade when I go for a walk. This can stay a few minutes, then go. It doesn't normally return until the next time I go for a walk. 3 I have had scans and tests, which found nothing. It's been like this for a few years and is very uncomfortable. A: Any pain in the chest area or back which is brought on by physical exertion and alleviated by rest should be considered to be angina until proven otherwise. Angina is a symptom of heart disease. Because the arteries are narrowed by plaque build-up, not enough oxygen-rich blood can get to the heart muscle when it is working hard. Angina can feel like pain, pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, and it may also radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. It is triggered by activities that increase the workload of the heart, such as walking, climbing stairs, or even emotional stress. You mention having had tests, but were you referred to a specialist chest pain service? In a patient with suspected angina, you would typically have blood tests and an ECG and usually a coronary angiogram or a myocardial perfusion scan. Sometimes a GP can rule out angina based on their thorough history-taking and examination, for example, they can tell that the pain is musculoskeletal in origin. Other times it is very clear that angina is the diagnosis and medication can be started immediately. Other potential causes include pain originating from muscles and joints or compression of nerves. Q: I HAVE had pain in my lower abdomen for approximately two months. I have very little pain, if any, when lying down or slouching. 3 The pain starts almost immediately when I am sitting upright or standing. It can be severe. I am 72 and otherwise reasonably healthy. When I walk, I feel that I have to press/hold my abdomen in. A CT scan and blood/poo tests have come back clear. I have asked my GP if there is any referral he could make, and he says no. I am desperate and willing to pay privately if absolutely necessary, but don't know which type of specialist I should see. Could the problem be muscular somehow? I do also get lower back pain sometimes when bending. A: It sounds as though you definitely need some help from somewhere. As your abdominal pain is made worse by standing or sitting upright and alleviated by lying down or slouching, it suggests that either posture or the pressure within the abdominal cavity plays a role in causing the pain. It's worth checking that your GP is confident that they have ruled out any serious disease with the CT scan and other tests, including hernias, inflammatory bowel disease, ovarian or bowel cancer. If you have an inkling that the pain might be muscular, it might be worth seeing a physiotherapist who would be able to assess this issue. It is possible to have abdominal pain from a herniated disc or nerves being trapped around the spine, too, which a physio can also assess for. If the physio does not believe this to be the cause of the pain, then a gastroenterologist or general surgeon might be the next best step. It is also possible for nerves in the abdominal wall to become entrapped and this can be made worse by certain movements or postures. Finally, if you have had abdominal surgery in the past, then it is possible to have developed adhesions from scar tissue that causes pain
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
AI Can Help Patients Get Prostate Cancer Drug That Cuts Death Risk By Half
Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) test that can predict which men with prostate cancer will benefit most from a drug that reduces the risk of dying. The life-extending drug called abiraterone has been called a 'gamechanger' treatment for the disease, but some countries are not offering it to men whose disease has not spread yet. The new AI test, built by a team from the US, UK and Switzerland, shows which men would most likely benefit from abiraterone. The breakthrough will help doctors to prescribe the drug to more men and avoid spending on other unnecessary treatments. "The natural history of advanced and aggressive prostate cancer is highly variable and now with better treatments, the risk of cancer relapse can be significantly reduced," said Professor Gert Attard, co-lead of the study. "This study shows, in a very large cohort of patients, that novel AI algorithms can be used to extract information from routinely available pathology slides to tailor these treatments to specific patients and minimise overtreatment whilst maximising the chance of cure." The test uses AI to study images of tumours and examine features invisible to the human eye. The team trialled the test on biopsy images from more than 1,000 men with high-risk prostate cancer that had not spread. Using the new AI test, researchers found that abiraterone given alongside standard hormone therapy almost halves the risk of death for approximately 25 per cent of men with prostate cancer. Notably, abiraterone works by inhibiting the production of testosterone in all tissues throughout the body, including the tumour. "This research shows that we can pick out the people who will respond best to abiraterone, and those who will do well from standard treatment alone - hormone therapy and radiotherapy," said Professor Nick James, co-lead of the trial. "I truly hope that this new research, showing precisely who needs the drug to live well for longer will lead to NHS England reviewing their decision to fund abiraterone for high-risk prostate cancer that has not spread." The trial results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2025.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
World-first NHS cancer blood test to fast-track personalised treatment for thousands of patients
Thousands of cancer patients are set to benefit from a world-first NHS blood test that speeds up access to treatment and avoids the need for invasive biopsies. The screening—known as a liquid biopsy—is being rolled out to around 15,000 patients with suspected lung cancer, NHS England has announced. There are also plans to expand it to advanced breast cancer and, potentially, prostate cancer patients in the near future. It works by analysing fragments of tumour DNA found in a simple blood sample, allowing doctors to quickly identify genetic mutations that can be matched to targeted therapies. This means treatment can begin far sooner, without waiting for traditional tissue biopsy results. Officials said the rollout marks the first time any health system in the world has adopted a 'blood test-first' approach for cancer on a national scale. The test will also be offered to around 5,000 women a year with advanced breast cancer who have not responded to standard treatment, helping doctors determine whether they are eligible for precision drugs. Scientists are also exploring its use for other forms of the disease including pancreatic and gallbladder cancers. Lung cancer is typically diagnosed with scans and a tissue biopsy, where a small tumour sample is examined under a microscope to assess the nature of the disease. Although genetic testing can be done on tissue, it is time-consuming as samples must be sent to a lab. Liquid biopsies offer faster results, using a far less invasive method. Around 10,000 people with non-small cell lung cancer—the most common form—have already received the test as part of an NHS pilot involving 176 hospitals. Patients who had a liquid biopsy were able to start treatment an average of 16 days earlier than those who had tissue samples taken. Independent analysis suggests the test could save the NHS up to £11 million a year in lung cancer care. The NHS said it was also expanding testing in advanced breast cancer, with several genetic variations now being screened for and around 5,000 women set to benefit per year. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care… it's fantastic we can now expand this revolutionary test to help tailor treatment for thousands more patients.' Prof Johnson added: 'Cutting-edge genomic testing is helping us deliver more targeted and kinder care for patients, enabling some to avoid more intensive treatments such as further chemotherapy, which can have a huge impact. 'We are already seeing the difference this test can make in lung and breast cancer, and we hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future. 'As research progresses, it's exciting that this approach has the potential to help us 'scan' the body in a single blood test to see where and how cancer may be developing and target it with speed and precision to help save more lives.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the rollout would 'give thousands of people peace of mind.' Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England, added: 'This represents a real step-change in care for eligible lung and breast cancer patients on the NHS. 'This testing is transforming care and helping clinicians match patients earlier, especially when cancer tissue may not be available with potentially life-extending targeted therapies rapidly and with greater precision. 'This test is a great example of the NHS harnessing the power of genomic technological advances to enable the latest groundbreaking treatment to be delivered to patients.' One patient who has already benefitted is Rebeca Proctor, 41, from Carlisle, who was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in January. A liquid biopsy revealed she had an ALK genetic mutation, making her eligible for the targeted drug brigatinib. A traditional biopsy confirmed the result 10 days later. 'When I found out I had stage four cancer, it felt like being punched in the gut,' she said. 'I was scared—I kept thinking about my children and whether I'd get to see my little girl start nursery. 'But the medication has given me my life back. I've got my energy back, and my kids have their mum back. 'I know I won't be cured, but the treatment is keeping the cancer from spreading. We're taking it day by day and fighting whatever comes.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
NHS to roll out ‘revolutionary' blood test for lung cancer
People with lung cancer will be offered a new blood test designed to speed up access to targeted treatments and avoid unnecessary biopsies, officials have announced. About 15,000 patients a year are expected to benefit from the world-first rollout, according to NHS England. The test, known as a liquid biopsy, uses a blood sample to look for tiny fragments of tumour DNA and detect mutations. This allows patients to access therapies tailored to the genetic profile of their disease much faster. The test will also be used to check breast cancer patients for a wider range of genetic variants to see if they are eligible for targeted treatments, officials said. Experts are exploring how liquid biopsies could be used for more forms of cancer. Lung cancer is usually diagnosed with a combination of scans and biopsies, during which specialists take a small sample of lung tissue to examine under a microscope. While tissue samples can be sent for genomic testing – which show genetic mutations linked to cancer development – liquid biopsies mean patients get results faster. About 10,000 people with non-small cell lung cancer – the most common type – have already had a liquid biopsy as part of an NHS pilot involving 176 hospitals. The wider rollout is expected to benefit 15,000 patients every year. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care and it's fantastic that we are now able to expand the use of this revolutionary test on the NHS to help tailor treatment for thousands of patients across the country.' The pilot scheme showed patients who had a liquid biopsy were able to make decisions on treatment an average of 16 days earlier than those who had tissue biopsies. Independent analysis of the pilot estimated the test could save the health service up to £11 million a year in lung cancer care. The NHS is exploring how it could be used for other cancers, including pancreatic and gallbladder cancer, officials said. The health service will also test patients with advanced breast cancer who have not responded to treatments for a wider range of genetic variants to see if they are eligible for targeted treatments. It is expected that 5,000 women a year will benefit from the move. Prof Johnson added: 'Cutting-edge genomic testing is helping us deliver more targeted and kinder care for patients, enabling some to avoid more intensive treatments such as further chemotherapy, which can have a huge impact. 'We are already seeing the difference this test can make in lung and breast cancer, and we hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future. 'As research progresses, it's exciting that this approach has the potential to help us 'scan' the body in a single blood test to see where and how cancer may be developing and target it with speed and precision to help save more lives.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new testing will 'give thousands of people peace of mind'. Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England, said: 'This represents a real step-change in care for eligible lung and breast cancer patients on the NHS. 'This testing is transforming care and helping clinicians match patients earlier, especially when cancer tissue may not be available with potentially life-extending targeted therapies rapidly and with greater precision. 'This test is a great example of the NHS harnessing the power of genomic technological advances to enable the latest groundbreaking treatment to be delivered to patients.' Rebeca Proctor, 41, from Carlisle, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in January. The results from a liquid biopsy showed she had an ALK genetic mutation, meaning she could start the targeted treatment brigatinib. A tissue biopsy confirmed the mutation around 10 days after her liquid biopsy results. Ms Proctor said: 'When I found out I had stage 4 cancer it felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I was scared – I just thought about my children, and if I would get to see my little girl start nursery, and how I would explain my diagnosis to my children. It was just heart-breaking to think about. 'But the medication has given me my life back and my kids have got their mum back. I'm taking it day-by-day and for now the treatment is doing what it's meant to be doing and shrinking the tumour, and I've got my energy back. 'I know I'm not going to be cured but I've come to terms with my diagnosis and the pills are stopping my cancer cells from spreading. We'll keep fighting this and dealing with what's been thrown at us.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Revolutionary test' that detects cancer up to a YEAR before it shows on scans to be rolled out on NHS in world first
Find out more about the cancer tests currently available in the UK below MAJOR LEAP 'Revolutionary test' that detects cancer up to a YEAR before it shows on scans to be rolled out on NHS in world first SUPER sensitive cancer blood tests will be rolled out to NHS patients in a world first. People diagnosed with breast or lung cancers will be tested for circulating tumour DNA, known as ctDNA, to find fragments of disease in their blood. 1 It's hoped many will be spared from unnecessary tests, surgery or chemotherapy with the new test Credit: Getty Results will give doctors a quick read on their cancer type, speeding up access to specialised treatment with higher chances of success. Clinics typically have to wait for the results of scans and surgical biopsies to be sure what they are seeing. New 'liquid biopsies' could also one day be used to stop cancer spreading, predict the risk of it coming back and guide treatment changes. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's director for cancer, said: 'Liquid biopsies are leading us into a new era of personalised cancer care. 'We are now able to expand the use of this revolutionary test on the NHS to help tailor treatment for thousands of patients across the country. 'It has the potential to help us scan the body in a single blood test to see where and how cancer may be developing and target it with speed and precision to help save more lives. 'We hope to roll it out for patients with other forms of cancer in the near future.' ctDNA tests will be offered to patients with advanced breast cancer that is not responding to treatment, and people with suspected non-small cell lung cancer. Following successful pilots, England is the first country to begin a mass rollout and will test thousands of Brits every year. It is hoped many will be spared from unnecessary tests, surgery or chemotherapy. NHS rolls out bowel cancer screening to 50 and 52-year-olds after Dame Debs' campaigning Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas, from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: 'The potential for patient benefit and cost savings to the NHS is incredible. 'The main point is it's non-invasive so there is no need for tumour biopsies, which can be painful. 'And often by the time you have tested a tumour by imaging it has already grown. 'If you pick it up earlier you can intervene earlier and smaller tumours might respond better to drugs. 'This test allows you to see cancer cells that are undetectable on others.' The NHS blood testing could see lung cancer patients get the best treatment weeks earlier, compared to waiting for scans and biopsy results. Women with hard-to-treat breast cancer will have tumour DNA analysed to work out the best targeted approach. Research by Dr Garcia-Murillas last year found the blood tests can detect signs of cancer growing back up to a year before it shows on a scan. Doctors hope the blood testing will become so accurate and simple that it can be used to monitor tumours in near real time. Dr Julie Gralow, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, said: 'This is a cool way of not having to stick needles into wherever the cancer is to test it, but just drawing blood. 'It's live monitoring at a level that is actually much more specific and early than waiting for it to show up on scans.'
