UK trials blood tests for early cancer detection

LONDON - ⁠A ⁠clinical trial in ​England will for the first time assess whether ​family doctors can ‌use simple blood tests to help diagnose some of the most common cancers earlier and improve patients’ chances of survival.

The tests, ​developed by ⁠the University of Birmingham, will look for signs of several cancers in a blood sample and ‌suggest where in the body they come from.

The trial is a world-first to establish whether simple blood tests ⁠can help general practitioners (GPs) identify patients who need urgent treatment much sooner.

Cancer mortality in Britain is among the highest across the OECD countries on a per capita ​basis.

The trial will cover abdominal cancers including prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach ​and liver, ‌which are often diagnosed too late.

At least 200 GP practices under the ​National ⁠Health Service will participate in the trial, covering more than 20,000 patients.

Patients ⁠aged 45 and over who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms like persistent bloating or discomfort will be able to participate.

⁠The tests will use technologies ​including artificial intelligence and measuring proteins in the blood.

The trial will assess how well the tests work to ‌support GPs’ judgement before ⁠authorities decide whether to ​roll them out nationally.