New Blood Test Shows Promise in Detecting Over 50 Early-Stage Cancers
Berlin,Germany - A novel blood test has demonstrated a significant ability to detect over 50 types of cancer in their early stages,according to preliminary data presented this week at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference. The test, which analyzes blood samples for fragments of tumor DNA, correctly identified the location of the cancer in 90% of cases.
More than half of the cancers detected by the test were found at an early stage, increasing the potential for prosperous treatment. Notably, the test identified cancers for which there are currently no routine screening programs, including those of the liver, ovaries, stomach, bladder, and pancreas – representing three-quarters of the cancers found.
When used alongside standard cancer screenings like those for breast, bowel, and cervical cancer, the test increased overall cancer detection rates sevenfold. While the findings are encouraging, self-reliant scientists caution that there is currently no evidence to suggest the test reduces cancer mortality rates.
A large-scale, three-year study involving 140,000 patients within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is currently underway, with results anticipated next year. Should the results prove positive, the NHS plans to expand the test to one million people. the full data from the initial study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
