New blood test trial detects most early-stage bowel cancers

A charity has said that a simple blood test could be the key to saving thousands of lives across the world from bowel cancer.

 

The Raman spectrometry blood test was developed by researchers at Swansea University, aided by funding from Cancer Research Wales and Health and Care Research Wales.

 

A trial showed the test detected around 80 per cent of early-stage cancers and could be adopted by the NHS within two years.

 

Results from the study, which involved 27 GP practices and 595 patients across Wales, showed 79 per cent of early-stage bowel cancers and 100 per cent of advanced bowel cancers were identified by the test.

 

Ann Tate, CEO of Cancer Research Wales said the results were very “exciting”, adding “This has been around eight to nine years in the making” in a cancer that was very difficult to diagnosed.

 

Ms Tate went on to say “It is really difficult for GPs when somebody comes and says they’re not feeling well.  They might be treated for all kinds of things first.

 

“This tool means the patient can take a simple test to check for bowel cancer.

 

“What this does is take a small sample of blood and fires lasers through it.  It gives a pattern and using AI, the pattern can be checked to see if the cancer has  leaked into the blood.  It’s like a cancer fingerprint.”

 

GPs can then fast-track patients for early treatment.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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