A BRADFORD doctor says a study of tumours from NHS patients is significant in finding out who may get cancer in the future.

Analysis of thousands of tumours has unveiled a treasure trove of clues about the causes of cancer, representing a significant step towards the personalisation of treatment, a study suggests.

Researchers say that for the first time it is possible to detect patterns – called mutational signatures – in the DNA of cancers.

These provide clues including about whether a patient has had past exposure to environmental causes of cancer such as smoking or UV light, for example.

 

A team of scientists from Cambridge University analysed the complete genetic make-up or whole genome sequences (WGS) of more than 12,000 NHS cancer patients.

They were able to spot 58 new mutational signatures, suggesting that there are additional causes of cancer that are not yet fully understood.

Speaking on today’s Good Morning Britain, Dr Amir said: “This is really interesting. The idea is they can give these patients specific treatment targeted to them.

“This is significant because it is so far reaching.

“We can look at treatments needed, but in the future they might use this information on who mkight get cancer based on their genetic make-up.”