NHS improves genetic testing for minority ethnic cancer patients

Before standard tests were extended to a fifth genonmic variant, Black patients could falsely be given the all-clear on their chemotherapy treatment. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

Thousands of cancer patients from minority ethnic backgrounds will have access to “groundbreaking” genetic testing on the NHS that previously discriminated against them.

This routine form of genetic testing, used before chemotherapy treatment, could save the lives of Black and minority ethnic cancer patients who already face poorer health outcomes after diagnosis compared with their white counterparts.