Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
New £769 test aims to predict long-term breast cancer recurrence risk
A new test called Caris MI Clarity is launching in Britain this month for women treated for certain early-stage breast cancers.
It is designed for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative cancer that has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The test uses artificial intelligence to analyse digital images of the original tumour and other medical information.
It estimates the risk of recurrence in two time periods: the first five years and years five to 15 after diagnosis.
Doctors may use the scores to decide whether a patient needs closer monitoring or additional treatment.
The test costs £769, and patients must pay themselves or use private health insurance; it will be available to NHS oncologists and major private providers.
Its performance in practice remains to be seen, and the developers say it could help identify women at risk of a late recurrence.
Caris MI Clarity, a £769 test, is being launched in Britain to estimate the risk of breast cancer returning after treatment.
Trials found it could identify women whose cancer returned as long as 15 years after diagnosis.
The test is designed for postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
It uses artificial intelligence to analyse tumour images and patient medical information, then produces separate risk scores for recurrence within five years and between five and 15 years.
Results can be available in as little as three days, and patients must pay themselves or use private health insurance.
- Who
- Caris MI Clarity is intended for postmenopausal women with a specific early-stage form of breast cancer.
- What
- A £769 test uses artificial intelligence to estimate the risk of cancer returning.
- When
- It is due to become available this month, according to the article published on 10 November 2026.
- Where
- Britain.
- Why
- It aims to help doctors identify patients who may need closer monitoring or additional treatment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The test identified women whose cancer later returned as long as 15 years after their original diagnosis.
The test is due to become available to NHS oncologists and major private healthcare providers in Britain.
- Cost
- £769
- Results
- As little as three days
- Risk periods
- Within five years, and between five and 15 years after diagnosis
- Potential reach
- Up to 20,000 British women every year, according to the developers
- Target group
- Postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has not spread to nearby lymph nodes
What people are saying
Breast cancer coming back many years after someone's initial diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges we need to address
It's vital that we better understand who is more likely to experience their breast cancer coming back, either in the first few years after diagnosis or much further down the line, so they can be given the most effective treatment.