Health Secretary Wes Streeting says ‘whole genome sequencing’ test – which diagnosed eye cancer in newborn Freddie – can now stop the disease before it does damage
Cancer survivor Wes Streeting has told the Mirror that the story of little Freddie Underhay marks the start of a health “revolution”.
We reported this week how the newborn was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer and could have his sight saved thanks to pioneering gene testing being piloted across England. Some 100,000 families are being enrolled to have their babies undergo whole genome testing which can identify hundreds of diseases, some which may not have been discovered until devastating harm had been caused.
It could mark the beginning of the end for a situation where many families of children with rare diseases sometimes wait years, or even never get a diagnosis, as their child deteriorates.
READ MORE: Baby diagnosed with rare cancer as NHS could roll out DNA tests for all newborns
The Health Secretary, who himself survived kidney cancer, hopes the Generation Study will provide the evidence to roll out whole genome sequence testing to every newborn alongside the current NHS heel prick test.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting
Imagine if you could stop cancer in its tracks?
I don’t mean after it’s begun to do its insidious damage, but before it’s even had the chance.
Imagine no more. It’s happening now. Thanks to the pioneering Generation Study, a baby boy, Freddie, has been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer, shortly after birth.
Genomic sequencing meant his condition was spotted far earlier than it might have been. Life-changing treatment has already begun.
Without this breakthrough, the cancer could have spread down his optic nerve and into his body. As a cancer survivor myself I cannot tell you what joy this news brings me.
This is what our 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS is all about: shifting the NHS towards prevention, earlier treatment, and world-leading innovations which save lives.
It’s a landmark moment for the NHS, for families, and for the future of medicine in this country.
A little boy, hopefully one of many more to come, now has the very best chance to save his sight. It’s wonderful news for Freddie and his family and I couldn’t be happier for them.
This is what the Generation Study is all about: harnessing the power of genome sequencing to detect more than 200 treatable rare conditions in newborns and give families the best possible start in life.
Already more than 20,000 families have joined the study, and dozens of families are receiving answers earlier and more timely access to care.
And it also means stronger evidence to make genomics routine in NHS care.
And this is why we need the UK right at the forefront of the revolution in life sciences and med tech, marrying our best scientific minds with the best brains in our NHS.
We will keep driving forward the innovations that mean we can leapfrog some diseases rather than reacting to them.
This government is determined to bring our NHS into the 21st century and today’s news means we’re already reaching into the future like never before.