Tens of thousands of patients to take part in landmark trial to see if blood tests can spot cancers
A world-leading new trial is being launched across at least 200 GP practices in England aimed at providing earlier diagnosis for a range of the most common cancers.
More than 20,000 NHS patients will take part in the trial to assess whether simple blood tests can spot prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach, liver, and other abdominal cancers.
Participating patients aged 45 and over who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms โ such as persistent bloating or discomfort โ will be offered the chance to take part in the trial.
The cutting-edge blood tests aim to detect early markers of cancer, before more severe symptoms develop, providing the potential to catch and treat major cancers before they can progress.
Around 71,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic, stomach, liver, ovarian or bowel cancer in England each year, and there are almost 35,000 deaths from these cancers.