Revolutionary Blood Test Can Detect Over 50 Cancers

Sun Oct 19 2025 13:00:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A groundbreaking blood test has been shown to identify more than 50 types of cancer, offering hope for earlier diagnoses and improved treatment options.

A recent trial in North America showcased a novel blood test that successfully detected a range of cancers—many of which lack existing screening methods. The Galleri test, developed by Grail, analyzed cancerous DNA fragments circulating in the blood and was able to identify over half of the cancers at an early stage, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment. Results indicate that this test could play a pivotal role in changing cancer detection and screening strategies, although further research is necessary to validate its effectiveness and potential impact on mortality rates.

Revolutionary Blood Test Can Detect Over 50 Cancers

A groundbreaking blood test has been shown to identify more than 50 types of cancer, offering hope for earlier diagnoses and improved treatment options. Results of a recent trial in North America revealed that the test can detect a wide array of cancers, three-quarters of which currently lack any screening program, potentially speeding up the diagnosis process.

The Galleri test, developed by the pharmaceutical firm Grail, functions by detecting fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off from tumors and are circulating in the bloodstream. More than half of the cancers identified by the test were discovered at an early stage, where they are significantly easier to treat and potentially curable.

The trial, which followed 25,000 adults in the US and Canada over a year, found that approximately 1 in 100 individuals tested positive, with 62% of these results ultimately confirming the presence of cancer. The test also showed an impressive ability to rule out cancer, identifying over 99% of negative cases accurately. When combined with traditional screenings for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers, it boosted the overall detection rate seven-fold.

Notably, the blood test identified a substantial proportion of cancers for which screening is not currently practiced, including ovarian, liver, stomach, bladder, and pancreatic cancers, with a 90% accuracy in pinpointing the cancer's origin.

While these findings are promising, researchers are calling for more extensive studies to demonstrate whether such early detection leads to reduced mortality. The topline results are set to be disclosed at the European Society for Medical Oncology congress in Berlin, and further details are pending publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Upcoming research will explore the efficacy of the Galleri test in a large NHS trial involving 140,000 patients, expected to conclude in the year ahead, with initial indications suggesting the potential to extend usage to an additional million people if successful.

According to lead researcher Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, this data could fundamentally alter our approach to cancer screening, enhancing the likelihood of detecting multiple cancer types at earlier stages. However, experts like Clare Turnbull emphasize the need for randomized studies focusing on mortality rates to validate whether early detection can translate into survival benefits. Sir Harpal Kumar from Grail expressed optimism, noting the opportunity to identify aggressive cancers earlier when treatment may be more effective and curative.

Naser Turabi from Cancer Research UK cautions that further research is critical to prevent overdiagnosis of cancers that may not pose significant harm. The UK National Screening Committee's review will be essential in deciding if these tests should be integrated into NHS protocols.