Neurologists have been given the go-ahead to use a new blood test for variant CJD.

The test was developed by Medical Research Council`s Prion Unit, whose director Professor John Collinge said it marked a significant advance in the UK`s fight against the human form of mad cow disease.

Up to 15,000 people in Britain might be infected, according to recent studies from tonsil samples.

And Prof Collinge told Channel 4 News the blood test, administered simply by nurses and other healthcare professionals, could enable researchers to determine the actual number far more accurately.

This would enable the targeting of risk management strategies and ensure the safety of the blood supply, he said.

Prof Collinge added: "It could also enable us to make an earlier diagnosis and as treatments become available it is going to be desperately important to get to patients early before there is extensive damage to the brain."

Copyright Press Association 2012

NHS staff have been given new guidance to help boost organ donations.

The guidelines are designed to help those in nursing jobs and other medical professionals approach a patient`s family about the possibility of donating their organs.

Although around 29% of the population are signed up to the organ donor register, donation rates remain low and experts believe that one reason may be a lack of consent from bereaved relatives.

The new guidance has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) in a bid to encourage more people to donate their loved one`s organs.

It states that any potential donors should be identified as early as possible, including those who have a serious brain injury that is likely to result in brain stem death.

Staff must also seek information on the patient`s wishes before approaching their family and assess any cultural or religious issues that may affect their decision.

According to the guidelines, hospital staff should also use "positive" phrases to describe donation and avoid "apologetic or negative language".

Copyright © Press Association 2011

People on lower incomes may be less likely to visit their doctor if they show signs of cancer, a study suggests.

A survey of more than 2,000 people found that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds were more pessimistic about the benefits of diagnosing cancer early.

The findings suggest that these people may be more reluctant to seek cancer advice from their GP or other medical professionals, such as those working in nursing jobs.

The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, found that most people were realistic about cancer survival rates, believing that half of those diagnosed with the disease will live for at least five years.

But people from less affluent backgrounds were more fatalistic and less likely to believe that cancer could be cured, the poll showed.

On average, people in this group believed that just 26% of cancer patients will survive for at least five years.

Researcher Dr Rebecca Beeken from University College London said: "This study shows that people with lower socio-economic status may think it is less worthwhile to detect cancer early because they are more fatalistic about the outcome.

"These differences in the way people perceive cancer could lead to inequalities in cancer survival."

The findings have been published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Copyright © Press Association 2011