The government has approved funding for a groundbreaking £120 blood test that can detect the 12 most common forms of cancer before symptoms even appear. Known as the Mionco screening, this test can identify 50 types of cancers with minimal false positives, thanks to its similarity to the PCR test used during the Covid pandemic. The test covers a wide range of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and more.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, believes this test could revolutionize cancer treatment within five years. He emphasized the importance of equipping the NHS with cutting-edge technology to benefit all patients, not just a privileged few.
Scientists from Southampton University utilized data from 20,000 cancer patients to develop this screening method, with plans to enhance its accuracy with AI technology. The goal is to make this test available within the NHS in the next five to seven years.
This innovative screening test could potentially save many lives by detecting cancer at an early stage. With current NHS screening tests involving scans or biopsies, this new blood test could streamline the process and reduce costs associated with false positive follow-ups. Exciting advancements like these are vital in improving cancer treatment protocols and increasing survival rates.
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