EDX Medical is introducing a state-of-the-art testing service in the UK to identify the risk of hereditary cancer. This comprehensive hereditary germline cancer test is meticulously designed to predict if family members of cancer patients are at a heightened risk of developing the disease.
The upcoming pan-cancer test boasts an impressive 99% sensitivity rate and detects mutations in 70 genes linked to cancers with a strong inherited genetic component. These include prostate, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. Health professionals will have access to this test later this summer.
With the introduction of this comprehensive hereditary germline cancer testing, doctors will be equipped to guide family members of cancer patients on lifestyle choices and preventive actions to delay or avert the onset of cancer. This service will be available through private healthcare providers and specific NHS Genetic and Genomic Testing Centres, allowing for the screening of family members for genetic cancer risks. EDX Medical is also offering a support service for healthcare professionals using the test.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, founder of EDX Medical plc, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to announce the launch of this test which we believe to be the highest quality hereditary cancer test available anywhere in the world. The fact that this single test covers all the known genes associated with inherited cancer risk will be enormously reassuring for people who have a close family member with or who have survived cancer.”
He further emphasized, “This is an important development in the EDX Medical cancer strategy to ensure increasing accessibility to excellent diagnostic products for doctors and their patients in the UK. The hereditary test is the first in a series of new precision cancer tests to be launched by EDX Medical in the coming months.”
Dr. Mike Hudson, CEO of EDX Medical plc, also highlighted the significance of the test, saying, “This is an excellent, comprehensive test based on the latest clinical and scientific knowledge. Testing family members of cancer patients must be a key part of a National Cancer Prevention and Management Strategy.”
He added, “This test enables doctors to identify important genetic risks shared by patients and their families, to take preventative action before the onset of disease, or to make well-informed clinical decisions and ensure access to modern medicines with greater chances of long-term survival should cancer occur later.”
EDX Medical Group Plc (AQSE:EDX) is a global specialist in digital clinical diagnostics; developing and supporting high-performance products and services to provide cost-effective prediction of disease risk, inform clinical decision-making, enable personalised healthcare and accelerate the development of new medicines for cancer, neurology, heart disease and infectious diseases.