New Bowel Cancer Blood Test to Improve Early Detection

Currently, doctors screen for bowel cancer using a fecal immunochemical test, often referred to as the "poo test," which many people find uncomfortable and may deter them from visiting a GP. Early diagnosis is crucial, as bowel cancer is more treatable in its initial stages. Now, a new blood test for bowel cancer is being developed to enhance early detection and potentially save lives. This minimally invasive test is designed to detect the disease at a stage where treatment is more effective.

Researchers at the University of Essex (Colchester, UK) are creating an innovative DNA analysis technique based on blood samples to improve bowel cancer screening uptake. The test works by detecting DNA that is released by tumors into the bloodstream. While this cell-free DNA is harmless, it provides researchers with a valuable tool to gather insights into the body's condition. Building on their prior work on other cancers, the team has developed a computer model to analyze this DNA and predict whether a person may have bowel cancer, based on blood samples. This groundbreaking approach is advancing the field of liquid biopsies, which utilize cell-free DNA from bodily fluids, aiming to enhance early-stage diagnosis of the disease.

Image: The new blood test could detect bowel cancer when it is more treatable (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

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University of Essex