British Scientists Develop Rapid Genetic Test to Diagnose Brain Cancer

London, September 27, 2026 : British scientists have developed a rapid genetic test for brain tumors that can identify the precise type of tumor in under two hours. The test could shorten patients' wait for results and allow treatment to begin sooner.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) has carried out a practical trial of the test, which analyzes the DNA of a small tumor sample taken during a biopsy or surgery. This means results could potentially be available while the patient is still on the operating table.

Professor Frankie Swords, the NHS's medical director, said the technology represents a major leap forward for patients and could transform the diagnosis of brain tumors.

She explained that a faster diagnosis could allow patients to start appropriate treatment or join clinical trials sooner, while also helping surgeons make critical decisions during the operation.

In the future, the results could help surgeons determine how much of a tumor can be safely removed without damaging healthy brain tissue, by factoring in more detailed genomic information during surgery.

Around 13,000 people are diagnosed with primary brain tumors in the UK each year. There are more than 100 different types of brain tumor, ranging from slow-growing tumors to aggressive cancers, and each can behave and respond to treatment differently.

Source: QNA