NHS launches new blood test to detect over 50 types of cancer early
pharmafile | September 13, 2021 | News story | Sales and Marketing |
A world-first trial of a new cancer test began today as the NHS launched its Galleri trial, which seeks to recruit 140,000 volunteers across eight areas of England to understand its effectiveness.
The earliest signs of cancer are detected by the new blood test that is being run alongside Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit, who are partnering with the body and the GRAIL – the company which developed the Galleri test.
Read: NHS blood tests halted due to vial shortages
Read: Blood biomarker discovered that can predict COVID-19 infection
Initial results of the study are likely to released in 2023, and NHS England will then look to extend the blood test to one million people in 2024 and 2025.
The eight areas that the trial will run are:
- Cheshire and Merseyside
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- North East
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- East of England
- Kent and Medway
- South East London
The test will hope to support the early diagnosis of cancer, therefore improving their chance of survival. A cancer that is detected at the earliest stage has around 5-10 times the chance of surviving compared with those at the latter stages of cancer discovery.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said, “This quick and simple blood test could mark the beginning of a revolution in cancer detection and treatment here and around the world.
“By finding cancer before signs and symptoms even appear, we have the best chance of treating it and we can give people the best possible chance of survival.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, added: “The UK’s world leading scientists continue to pioneer innovative cancer diagnosis and treatments so our brilliant NHS staff have the tools to spot the disease as early as possible and give people the care they need.”
