Dame Deborah James, podcast presenter, pictured before her passing six years after her diagnosis. Photo by Richard Pohle for The Times
Summary of the news:
The NHS is trialling a new blood test that can help find bowel cancer and 11 other types of cancer. The test is made by the University of Southampton and a company called Xgenera. It works by checking tiny particles in a blood sample using artificial intelligence. This test is quick, using only a small amount of blood, and could cost around £120 to £300. Early tests on 20,000 people showed it was 99% accurate. The NHS trial will involve 8,000 patients.
If the test works well, it could replace more painful and expensive tests like colonoscopies. This could help doctors find cancers earlier and make it easier to diagnose. The UK government is supporting the trial with £2.4 million in funding.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has his own experience with cancer, emphasised the importance of catching cancer early. There's also a new lab at the Francis Crick Institute named after Dame Deborah James, a cancer campaigner who raised millions before her death. This lab will focus on new research to improve cancer survival.