(Corrects headline and first paragraph to remove reference to world-first; corrects first paragraph and first bullet to clarify that the university developed the tests with partners and that the trial will assess the tests’ effectiveness)
LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) – A clinical trial in England will assess whether family doctors’ use of simple blood tests that detect multiple common cancers actually result in earlier diagnosis and improved chances of survival.
• Several such tests, developed by the University of Birmingham and its partners, will be trialed for their ability to detect signs of several cancers in a blood sample and suggest where in the body they come from
• The trial is a world-first to establish whether simple blood tests can help general practitioners (GPs) identify patients who need urgent treatment much sooner
• Cancer mortality in Britain is among the highest across OECD countries on a per capita basis
• The trial will cover 14 cancers including prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach and liver, which are often diagnosed too late
• At least 200 GP practices across England’s National Health Service will participate in the trial, covering more than 20,000 patients
• Patients aged 45 and over who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms like persistent bloating or discomfort will be able to participate
• The tests will use technologies including artificial intelligence and measurement of proteins in the blood
• The trial will assess how well the tests work to support GPs’ judgement before a decision is made to roll them out nationally
(Reporting by Yoruk Bahceli; Editing by Sarah Young and Nancy Lapid)
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