A ground-breaking blood test, known as the Galleri test, has been hailed as a potential 'holy grail' for cancer detection, capable of accurately identifying almost two-thirds of deadly cancer cases. This innovative test screens for more than 50 types of cancer, often revealing signs of the disease before symptoms become apparent, offering a new frontier in early diagnosis.

Key findings from a significant US trial involving over 23,000 patients revealed that the Galleri test could accurately detect 62% of cancer cases. More impressively, it demonstrated 74% accuracy in identifying the 12 most deadly cancers, which include challenging types like bowel, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Experts preparing to present these results at a leading cancer conference expressed that these findings provide crucial reassurance for a wider implementation of the test.

Developed by the US company Grail, the test functions by analyzing tiny fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the bloodstream. The US trial meticulously followed 23,161 patients for at least 12 months. A cancer signal was detected in 216 individuals, with subsequent cancer diagnoses confirmed in 133 of them. This translates to a sensitivity rate of 61.6% in correctly identifying individuals with cancer. Furthermore, the test exhibited a high specificity, correctly ruling out cancer in 99.6% of individuals who did not have the disease. In 92% of cases, the test could also pinpoint the specific organ or tissue where the cancer originated, which could significantly streamline further diagnostic procedures and save costs.

Sir Harpal Kumar, president of International Business and BioPharma at Grail and former head of Cancer Research UK, expressed significant enthusiasm, stating that the test represents a