In a revolutionary advancement in medical science, the “Galleri test,” a new blood test designed to detect over 50 types of cancer, has shown remarkable success, correctly identifying cancer in nearly two-thirds of cases in a major trial.
The test, which is currently being trialed by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), works by detecting fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Its most significant advantage is its potential to identify the disease long before any symptoms become apparent.
A recent US trial, known as Pathfinder 2, demonstrated the test’s effectiveness in screening healthy individuals. The results showed that when a “cancer signal” was detected in a participant’s blood, the test correctly confirmed the presence of cancer in 61.6% of those cases.
Crucially, the test also successfully identified the primary organ or tissue of origin in 92% of these confirmed cancer cases. This capability could save immense time and resources, streamlining the diagnostic process for doctors.
The most hopeful aspect of the test is its power for early detection. More than half (53.5%) of the new cancers diagnosed during the trial were in the earliest, most treatable stages (Stage 1 or 2). Overall, 69.3% of the cancers found were within Stages 1-3.
