A large-scale North American study has found that a new blood test can detect more than 50 types of cancer, often at early stages when treatment is most effective.
A large study in North America has found that a new blood test can detect more than 50 types of cancer, including many for which no standard screening exists.
The trial, which involved 25,000 adults in the United States and Canada, showed that the Galleri test, developed by American firm Grail, identified a wide range of cancers, with over half detected at early stages.
The test works by analysing fragments of tumour DNA in the bloodstream. Cancer was later confirmed in 62 percent of participants who received a positive result, while false positives were below one percent.
Researchers said the test could “fundamentally change” cancer screening.
The NHS is also trialling the test in England with 140,000 participants, and results are expected next year. If successful, testing will expand to one million people.