2023-06-02 08:43:08
- Michelle Roberts
- Health reporter, BBC News
The results of the trials were promising, but more research is needed
Researchers said that a blood test for more than 50 types of cancer showed promising results in a major trial of the British National Health Service.
The test correctly detected two out of three types of cancer in the 5,000 people who visited their GP with suspected symptoms in England or Wales.
The test succeeded in identifying the original site of the cancer in 85% of cases.
Gallerie’s test looks for characteristic changes in parts of the genetic code that leak out from different cancers. Early detection of treatable cancer can save lives.
Researchers from the University of Oxford say the test is still largely incomplete, but it might increase the number of cancers that can be detected.
Oftentimes, patients experience symptoms such as weight loss with a range of possible causes. Determining the real cause requires multiple tests and hospital visits.
More than 350 of the participants in the study, the largest of its kind in patients with suspected symptoms of cancer, were diagnosed using traditional methods such as scans and biopsies. It was found that 75% of those who tested positive in a blood test actually had cancer.
And cancer was discovered later in the case of 2.5% of those whose blood test results were negative.
Although the test was not accurate enough to “judge or rule out cancer”, the test was really useful for patients, lead researcher Professor Mark Middleton told BBC News.
“The test was regarding 85% accurate in finding the source of the cancer, and that can be really helpful because a lot of times it’s not immediately obvious when you put a patient in front of you what test is needed to find out if their symptoms are due to cancer.”
“And with what the test reveals, we can decide whether to order a specific test and make sure we get the right test the first time.”
The findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago and published in The Lancet Oncology.
“Further search”
The NHS is also using the Galleri test, developed by Grail in California, on thousands of asymptomatic people to see if it can detect hidden cancers.
Initial results are expected this year, and if successful, NHS England plans to extend the scope to an additional 1 million people in 2024 and 2025.
The test is particularly good at detecting hard-to-find cancers such as those of the head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreas and throat.
Dr David Crosby, from Cancer Research UK, said: “The results of the study suggest this test might be used to support GPs to carry out clinical assessments, but more research is needed, in a larger trial, to see if it can help a GP. overall results in evaluation and ultimately better patient outcomes.
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