Key points from article :
A new blood test called Galleri shows promise for detecting more than 50 types of cancer, including many that currently have no screening programmes. In a North American trial of 25,000 adults, the test detected cancer in about 1% of participants, with over half of these cases identified at an early, potentially curable stage. The test works by detecting fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the blood, and it correctly ruled out cancer in more than 99% of people who tested negative.
Dr Nima Nabavizadeh, lead researcher and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, said the data could “fundamentally change” cancer screening, allowing earlier detection and treatment. When combined with existing screening programmes for breast, bowel, lung, and cervical cancer, Galleri increased overall cancer detection seven-fold. Importantly, it also successfully identified the likely tissue of origin in nine out of ten cases, helping guide treatment decisions.
While the initial results are encouraging, independent experts stress the need for further evidence. They note that it remains unclear whether earlier detection with Galleri will reduce cancer deaths, and caution about the risk of overdiagnosis. A large three-year NHS trial in England involving 140,000 participants is currently underway, and its findings will be crucial in deciding whether the test will be widely adopted in the UK.
