England Trials Blood Tests for Earlier Cancer Detection

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – A clinical trial in England will assess whether simple blood tests can help family doctors identify some of the most common cancers at an earlier stage, potentially improving patients’ chances of survival.

Developed by the University of Birmingham, the tests will analyse blood samples for signs of several types of cancer and attempt to identify the organs where the diseases may have originated.

Described as a world-first trial, the initiative aims to determine whether the tests can help general practitioners (GPs) identify patients who require urgent investigation and treatment more quickly.

The trial will focus on abdominal cancers, including prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach and liver cancers, many of which are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages.

At least 200 GP practices across England’s National Health Service (NHS) are expected to participate, involving more than 20,000 patients.

People aged 45 and above who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms, including persistent bloating or discomfort, will be eligible to take part.

The blood tests will use technologies such as artificial intelligence and protein analysis to identify potential signs of cancer and indicate where further investigation may be needed.

Researchers will evaluate how accurately the tests perform and whether they can support doctors’ clinical assessments when deciding which patients require urgent referral.

The findings will help determine whether the technology should be introduced more widely across the NHS.