Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Blood tests for multiple cancers to be tested at some GP surgeries
A government-funded trial will test multi-cancer blood tests at some GP surgeries in England.
Patients will give one or two blood tubes alongside routine tests, and scientists will look for signs of cancer.
The test will cover a range of cancers, including bowel, stomach and ovarian cancer.
A positive result would not prove someone has cancer, and a negative result would not guarantee they are cancer-free.
The University of Birmingham is leading the trial to see whether the tests are accurate enough for wider NHS use.
An earlier NHS trial of a different test, called Galleri, did not meet its main goal of reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses, though researchers are still assessing its potential benefits.
Earlier detection could help patients get treatment sooner, particularly for cancers that are difficult to spot from symptoms alone.
A government-funded trial will test whether blood tests for multiple cancers are accurate enough for wider NHS use.
The University of Birmingham is leading the STRIDE-RCT trial, which will test for 12 types of cancer.
Patients will give one or two blood tubes at their GP practice alongside routine tests.
Scientists will analyse samples for signs of cancer and may be able to identify where a tumour is located.
A positive result does not automatically mean a patient has cancer, and a negative result is not a guaranteed all-clear.
- Who
- The University of Birmingham is leading the trial. Patients at some GP surgeries will provide blood samples.
- What
- A trial will assess whether blood tests for multiple cancers are accurate enough for wider NHS use.
- When
- The trial is due to take place soon. A specific start date is not stated.
- Where
- Some GP surgeries in England.
- Why
- To assess whether the tests can help identify cancers and guide which patients need further investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Patients will provide one or two tubes of blood at their GP practice alongside routine tests.
Scientists will analyse them for signs of cancer and may be able to pinpoint where a tumour is located.
- Trial name
- STRIDE-RCT
- Trial lead
- University of Birmingham
- Cancer types
- 12
- Blood sample
- One or two tubes
- Funding
- Government-funded
What people are saying
notoriously difficult
GPs have long needed better tools to help them navigate that uncertainty by identifying which patients require further testing and this trial in England is an important step towards addressing that need.