Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #199

A. Personalised medicine, also known as precision medicine, is an innovative approach to healthcare that tailors medical decisions, treatments, practices, and products to the individual patient. This approach moves away from the traditional "one-size-fits-all" model of medicine, recognising that each person''s unique genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle play a crucial role in their health and their response to treatments. The goal is to provide the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.

B. The foundation of personalised medicine is genomics and other advanced molecular profiling technologies. By sequencing a patient''s genome or analysing the molecular characteristics of their tumour, for example, doctors can gain a much deeper understanding of the specific drivers of their disease. This information can then be used to select the most effective therapies and to avoid those that are likely to be ineffective or cause adverse side effects.

C. Oncology is the field where personalised medicine has made the most significant impact so far. Many cancer treatments are now based on the specific genetic mutations found in a patient''s tumour, rather than just the location of the cancer in the body. This has led to the development of highly effective targeted therapies and immunotherapies that have revolutionised the treatment of certain cancers. The principles are also being applied to other areas, such as pharmacology (predicting drug responses), rare diseases, and preventive medicine.

D. While personalised medicine holds enormous promise, it also faces challenges. The cost of genomic testing and targeted therapies can be very high, raising concerns about equitable access. Integrating complex genomic data into routine clinical practice requires new infrastructure and training for healthcare professionals. There are also ethical issues surrounding the use and storage of genetic information. Despite these hurdles, personalised medicine is set to transform healthcare, making it more predictive, preventative, and effective.