Key points from article :
Breast cancer is diagnosed with around 55,000 women annually.
Simple blood test could spot breast cancer five years before any symptoms.
Method could be used to screen women, replacing mammograms and allow treatment to start far earlier.
Substances produced by tumour cells trigger an immune response which is identified in the blood test.
Breast cancer induces autoantibodies against panels of specific tumour-associated antigens.
Early detection of breast cancer would be cost-effective.
Tests could be available in clinics in four to five years with sufficient investment.
