Multi-cancer blood test trial launches in 200 GP surgeries — SkimNews
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- NHS will offer multi-cancer blood tests at around 200 GP surgeries in England as part of a government-funded trial targeting early detection of abdominal cancers.
- University of Birmingham is leading the STRIDE-RCT trial, which will assess whether blood tests detecting DNA fragments or proteins can accurately identify 12 cancer types.
- Patients aged 45 and over with symptoms like pain or persistent bloating will be eligible, with more than 20,000 expected to participate by providing blood samples during routine visits.
- Prof Peter Johnson stated that early diagnosis of abdomen cancers is 'notoriously difficult' due to non-specific symptoms that mimic less serious conditions.
- Yvette Cooper expressed hope that the simple blood test would help identify patients needing urgent investigation much sooner, improving outcomes.
- Michelle Mitchell noted the trial addresses GPs’ long-standing need for better tools to determine which patients require further cancer testing.
Why it matters: Over 71,000 people in England are diagnosed annually with hard-to-detect cancers, nearly half dying from them. If proven accurate, these tests could shift diagnosis earlier, giving patients a better chance of survival and reducing pressure on later-stage treatment resources.
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