Results from blood test for 50 cancers
2 days ago
- #medical-research
- #blood-test
- #cancer-detection
- A blood test called Galleri can detect more than 50 types of cancer by identifying cancerous DNA fragments in the blood.
- The test was able to detect cancers in early stages in over half of the cases, improving treatment and cure potential.
- In a trial of 25,000 adults, nearly 1% received a positive result, with 62% of these later confirmed to have cancer.
- The test correctly ruled out cancer in over 99% of negative cases and increased overall cancer detection seven-fold when combined with other screenings.
- Three-quarters of the cancers detected currently lack screening programs, such as ovarian, liver, stomach, bladder, and pancreatic cancers.
- The test accurately identified the origin of the cancer in 90% of cases.
- Experts emphasize the need for further research to confirm if the test reduces cancer mortality and avoids overdiagnosis.
- A larger NHS trial involving 140,000 patients in England will publish results next year, potentially expanding the test to a million people if successful.