The lab’s Scientific Operational Director Dr Emma Howard said staff had gone out to Germany to be trained in the complex testing process.
“It opens the door to much better treatments,” she said.
Up until very recently only lung and breast cancers have been able to be tested, but Dr Howard said that was now expanding.
“[The test] is not specific to the tumour being tested. It can be applied across a range of cancers,” she said.
It is now being used for cancers of “unknown primary”, where clinicians are not able to work out the source, and the hope is to go much wider.
“We are also looking at biliary cancers, pancreatic cancer, potentially prostate cancer, and even potentially looking at clinical trial opportunities for patients as well,” said Dr Krebs.
“It’s really important that we’re testing everyone who is potentially eligible for these tests.”
Back in Hindley, Christina is looking forward to another holiday in Turkey.
“I’d like to be here for quite a few years longer really because I’ve got two small grandchildren who I’d like to see grow up,” she said.
“My son’s getting married in 2028 so I’d like to be there for that as well”.
“I’m just going to get on with it and enjoy life. Take each day as it comes”.