Key points from article :
Scientists from US firm Novelna developed a simple blood test that can detect 18 early-stage cancers across all major organs.
This non-invasive approach could revolutionize cancer screening, as current methods often lack sensitivity and are expensive or invasive.
Unlike DNA-based tests, this one analyzes proteins in blood plasma, allowing for differentiation between cancerous and healthy samples with high accuracy.
Interestingly, the team found evidence that protein patterns may differ between men and women, suggesting potential for personalized screening.
In initial studies, the test identified 93% of stage I cancers in men and 84% in women, exceeding the accuracy of other similar tests.
Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and validate the test's real-world effectiveness before widespread use.
Research published in BMJ Oncology.
