Breakthrough Blood Test Detects 50 Cancers, Enhancing Early Diagnosis

Sat Oct 18 2025 23:49:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Recent trials reveal a groundbreaking blood test capable of identifying over 50 types of cancer, significantly improving early detection rates, especially for cancers lacking screening programs.

A new blood test named Galleri demonstrates the potential to detect more than 50 types of cancer, including those without established screening methods. In trials across North America, the test identified various cancers and achieved over 62% confirmation rates for positive results. With its ability to locate early-stage cancers, the Galleri test could transform cancer diagnosis and treatment approaches significantly. Future studies will assess its impact on mortality rates.

Breakthrough Blood Test Detects 50 Cancers, Enhancing Early Diagnosis

A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer could help speed up diagnosis according to a new study.

Results of a trial in North America show that the test was able to identify a wide range of cancers, of which three quarters don't have any form of screening programme.

More than half the cancers were detected at an early stage, where they are easier to treat and potentially curable.

The Galleri test, made by the American pharmaceutical firm Grail, can detect fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off a tumour and are circulating in the blood.

Impressive results

The trial followed 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year.

Nearly one in a hundred of those tested had a positive result, and in 62% of these cases, cancer was later confirmed.

The test correctly ruled out cancer in over 99% of those who tested negative.

When combined with breast, bowel, and cervical screening, it increased the number of cancers detected overall seven-fold.

Crucially, three quarters of cancers detected were for those which have no screening programme such as ovarian, liver, stomach, bladder, and pancreas.

The blood test correctly identified the origin of the cancer in 9 out of 10 cases.

These impressive results suggest the blood test could eventually have a major role to play in diagnosing cancer earlier.

Scientists not involved in the research say more evidence is needed to show whether the blood test reduces deaths from cancer.

The topline results are to be released at the European Society for Medical Oncology congress in Berlin, but the full details have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Much will depend on the results of a three-year trial involving 140,000 NHS patients in England, which will be published next year.

The NHS has previously stated that if the results are successful, it would extend the tests to a further one million people.

The lead researcher, Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, said the latest data show that the test could 'fundamentally change our approach to cancer screening, helping to detect many types of cancer earlier, when the chance of successful treatment or even cure are the greatest'.

However, Professor Clare Turnbull emphasized that data from randomized studies with mortality as an endpoint will be crucial to validate the early detection advantages presented by Galleri.

Sir Harpal Kumar of Grail remains optimistic about the test, stating, 'We think these results are very compelling... we can find many more cancers - and many of the more aggressive cancers - at a much earlier stage when we have more effective and potentially curative treatments.'

Experts like Naser Turabi of Cancer Research UK caution that further research is needed to ensure that the test doesn't result in overdiagnosis of cancers that might not pose a threat. The UK National Screening Committee will play a vital role in reviewing the evidence to determine the feasibility of adopting these tests within the NHS.