New Blood Test May Revolutionize Cancer Diagnosis, Study Finds
A groundbreaking blood test has been shown to detect more than 50 types of cancer at an early stage, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes. The test, known as Galleri, can identify fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off a tumor and are circulating in the bloodstream.
The study, which involved 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year, found that nearly one in 100 participants received a positive result, with 62% of those cases confirmed as cancer. The test was able to detect cancer at an early stage in more than half of cases, where treatment is often most effective.
Lead researcher Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh noted that the test could "fundamentally change" their approach to cancer screening, allowing for earlier detection and potentially curative treatments. When combined with existing screening programs for breast, bowel, lung, and cervical cancers, the Galleri test increased the number of cancers detected sevenfold.
However, scientists caution that further research is needed to confirm the test's effectiveness in reducing deaths from cancer. Clare Turnbull, a professor of translational cancer genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, emphasized the need for larger studies with mortality as an endpoint to establish whether the Galleri test translates into benefits in mortality.
The NHS has already expressed interest in extending the test to a further one million people if it proves successful. The results of a three-year trial involving 140,000 NHS patients in England will be published next year.
While the findings are promising, experts stress that overdiagnosis must also be considered. "Avoiding overdiagnosing cancers that may not have caused harm" is crucial when introducing new screening tests, warns Naser Turabi of Cancer Research UK.
The Galleri test has sparked excitement among scientists and healthcare professionals, with some hailing it as a major breakthrough in cancer diagnosis. As the trial results continue to unfold, one thing is clear: this innovative blood test may revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A groundbreaking blood test has been shown to detect more than 50 types of cancer at an early stage, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes. The test, known as Galleri, can identify fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off a tumor and are circulating in the bloodstream.
The study, which involved 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year, found that nearly one in 100 participants received a positive result, with 62% of those cases confirmed as cancer. The test was able to detect cancer at an early stage in more than half of cases, where treatment is often most effective.
Lead researcher Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh noted that the test could "fundamentally change" their approach to cancer screening, allowing for earlier detection and potentially curative treatments. When combined with existing screening programs for breast, bowel, lung, and cervical cancers, the Galleri test increased the number of cancers detected sevenfold.
However, scientists caution that further research is needed to confirm the test's effectiveness in reducing deaths from cancer. Clare Turnbull, a professor of translational cancer genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, emphasized the need for larger studies with mortality as an endpoint to establish whether the Galleri test translates into benefits in mortality.
The NHS has already expressed interest in extending the test to a further one million people if it proves successful. The results of a three-year trial involving 140,000 NHS patients in England will be published next year.
While the findings are promising, experts stress that overdiagnosis must also be considered. "Avoiding overdiagnosing cancers that may not have caused harm" is crucial when introducing new screening tests, warns Naser Turabi of Cancer Research UK.
The Galleri test has sparked excitement among scientists and healthcare professionals, with some hailing it as a major breakthrough in cancer diagnosis. As the trial results continue to unfold, one thing is clear: this innovative blood test may revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment.
I'm all about being prepared for life, so if a simple blood test can save lives, I'm all for it. The idea that it could 'fundamentally change' the approach to cancer screening is mind-blowing. And with 62% of positive results confirmed as actual cancer? That's like, super reassuring. 
Of course, there's always more research needed, but this is definitely a promising start. I'm curious to see how it plays out in real life. One million people getting tested? That's amazing! 
do u like the new season of stranger things? i heard it's going to be epic this time around
i'm hyped to hear about this, but yeah gotta consider overdiagnosis too, don't wanna be stuck on unnecessary treatment 
still super stoked tho
. i'm all for it if it means people can get the treatment they need sooner 
. and omg, 62% of positive results confirmed as cancer? that's wild 
. but honestly, who wouldn't want a test that can detect cancers before they even start? 
it's like the ultimate superpower 
. fingers crossed for those NHS trials 
!
this is huge! i'm so hyped about the prospect of getting an early cancer diagnosis without having to go through all that prep work for a biopsy or surgery... but at the same time, isn't there always a catch? like, what if it's not 100% accurate and we're just overdiagnosing people? 
The fact that it can detect more than 50 types of cancer is wild. I know some people are worried about overdiagnosis, but like, I get it - every bit of information helps, right? 
Still, I think the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. Can you imagine being able to catch your cancer before it even starts? It's like a dream come true! 
.
(like literally just one drop) so it's not like ur gonna have to go thru some major process or anythin 
and maybe even find a cure 
like wooo, can't wait 2 see what happens! 
i'm all about that early detection life! the idea of a blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer at an early stage is literally mind blown 
this could be the game changer we need to take cancer treatment to the next level 
but we gotta keep it real, when does it become a right? Not everyone can afford this fancy test, especially in the US healthcare system which already got some major issues with accessibility 
. We need to make sure that this tech benefits the most vulnerable populations, you feel me? 
. The NHS is already on board, that's cool and all 
... still super interesting tho!
anyway its cool i guess that new blood test can detect cancer but still 100k ppl die every year from it so lets not get too hyped