Plans to use cutting edge technology to help detect cancer early is ‘pivotal moment’ says Birmingham firm
Plans to use cutting edge technology to help detect cancer early has been described as a ‘pivotal moment’ by a West Midlands Company.
Jeff Bousfield, CEO of Quinton-based early cancer testing company Nonacus, said the Government’s National Cancer Plan’s focus on using genetics is crucial in the fight against the disease.
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The National Cancer Plan sets out the aim to improve cancer care so that three out of four people diagnosed with cancer survive for five years or more by 2035.
Last year, Nonacus welcomed the then Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker to see their work first hand.
The company has developed new AI technology to provide rapid, inexpensive and pain-free bladder cancer diagnostics which would be less invasive and cheaper than current tests.
Nonacus’ bladder cancer diagnostics sees test kits sent out to patients who in turn send their urine samples back.
Instead of the current tests which sees a camera on the end of a scope being inserted into the bladder, Nonacus looks at DNA fragments from the urine sample to see if cancer is present and, if so, what type.
In turn they can assess what treatment is required and how urgent a patient’s case is. It is hoped this will have a positive impact on NHS waiting lists and finances.
Mr Bousfield: “The publication of the National Cancer Plan marks a pivotal moment in harnessing genetics, so every patient can access genetic testing in the fight against both cancer risk we inherit from our parents and cancer risk we develop during our lifetimes.
“Having provided support to the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme over the last three years, and more recently trialled our at-home early bladder cancer test in the NHS, we have seen first-hand the impact of genomic testing for at risk communities and are proud that Nonacus’ expertise has a meaningful role to play in delivering the plan’s ambitions.
“As the NHS delivers on this plan, the role of companies like Nonacus in providing fast, accurate and scalable testing solutions will be crucial.
“We stand ready to support the delivery of the plan’s most impactful elements — delivering at home cancer testing to improve patient survival and quality of life.”
