Test could help cancer patients

Almost half of women with the most common form of early breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy, thanks to a genetic test, research suggests.

The Oncotype DX test examines genes taken from a sample of a tumour removed during surgery. It can help doctors decide whether chemotherapy would benefit patients and determine the risk of cancer returning.

Research by Simon Holt, a breast surgeon at the Hywel Dda Health Board, in Wales, found 46 per cent of patients with early stage disease could be spared unnecessary chemotherapy.

The Oncotype DX test is being reviewed for widespread use on the NHS.