Stock: Blood test samples
(Picture: PA Archive)A new blood test is being trialled on the NHS which could prevent as many as one in ten cancer deaths in the UK, researchers say.
The test, for the over-50s, is being trialled in a world-first on the National Health Service and aims to detect more than 50 types of cancer before initial symptoms show.
Researchers believe that while there have been no results yet, the ‘Holy Grail’ of testing could prevent ten per cent of the approximately 460 cancer deaths in the UK every year, according to the Daily Mail.
The cancer test, by US company Grail, could be a “turning point” in how the NHS tackles the disease, researchers told the publication, because it could allow some people’s cancers to be treated earlier than they otherwise would.
While in the short term, it could increase the number of cancer referrals, scientists hope it could save the NHS money in the long run.
Professor Peter Sasieni, one of three lead investigators of the trial from King’s College London, told the paper: “The potential of this blood test to dramatically cut the number of people who die from cancer is enormous.
“Of course, if the test is rolled out by the NHS, we will see some increase in short-term workload from the slightly higher number of referrals for cancer.
“But in the long run, there should also be many savings for the NHS, such as a reduction in the need for chemotherapy and expensive drugs for advanced cancers.”
The new test, called the Galleri test, picks up fragments of DNA linked to cancer which are shed into the blood, allowing detection prior to symptoms.
The trial, which involves Cancer Research UK and King’s College London, saw people aged 50 to 77 sent letters of invitation.
Those who had a signal of cancer in their blood were referred for a scan within two weeks.
However, it has not been revealed what proportion of those referred to hospital in the NHS trial turned out to have cancer.
Early results from the trial are expected to be shared with the NHS in 2024.
According to Cancer Research UK, every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. Half of people diagnosed with cancer in England and Wales survive their disease for ten years or more.
