Good news from medicine/ Blood test for 50 types of cancer excites scientists, it can detect the disease in early stages

A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer has correctly detected two in three people with cancer in a large NHS trial involving 5,000 people who visited their GP after suspecting symptoms, in England and Wales, researchers say.

In 85% of those positive cases, the test also determined the original site of the cancer.

The Galleri test looks for distinct changes in pieces of the genetic code that arise from different cancers. Detecting curable cancer in its early stages can save lives.

The test remains a "work in progress", say researchers from the University of Oxford, but it could increase the number of cancers identified.

Often, patients have symptoms, such as weight loss, with a variety of possible causes and require multiple tests and hospital visits.

More than 350 of those in the study were subsequently diagnosed with cancer, using traditional methods such as scans and biopsies.

– 75% of those who tested positive in the blood test turned out to have cancer

– 2.5% of those who tested negative were found to have cancer

Although not accurate enough to "determine or rule out cancer", the test was really useful for patients, lead researcher Prof Mark Middleton told BBC News.

"The test was 85% accurate in detecting the source of the cancer – and that can be really helpful because a lot of times it's not immediately obvious when you have the patient in front of you what test is needed to see if their symptoms are to cancer," he said.

The findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.

The NHS has also used the Galleri test, developed by California company Grail, on thousands of people without symptoms to see if it can detect hidden cancers.

Initial results are expected next year – and, if successful, NHS England plans to extend the rollout to a million more people in 2024 and 2025.

Testi është veçanërisht i mirë në gjetjen e kancereve të vështira për t’u dalluar si kanceret e kokës dhe qafës, zorrëve, mushkërive, pankreasit dhe fytit.

Dr David Crosby, nga Cancer Research UK, tha: “Gjetjet nga studimi sugjerojnë se ky test mund të përdoret për të mbështetur mjekët e përgjithshëm për të bërë vlerësime klinike – por nevojiten shumë më tepër kërkime, në një provë më të madhe, për të parë nëse mund të përmirësojë mjekun e përgjithshëm. vlerësimi dhe përfundimisht rezultatet e pacientit.”

NHS National Cancer Director Prof Peter Johnson said: "This study is the first step in testing a new way to identify cancer as early as possible, leading the NHS - early detection of cancer is vital and this test can help us catch more cancers at an earlier stage and help save thousands of lives."