‘Game-changer’ cancer test to seek volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are wanted for the world’s largest trial of a new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.
People in the East Midlands will be among the first to have blood samples taken at mobile testing clinics.
The potentially lifesaving Galleri test checks for the earliest signs of cancer in the blood and the NHSGalleri trial, the first of its kind, aims to recruit 140,000 volunteers nationally, including thousands in Leicestershire, to see how well the test works in the NHS.
Michael Ryan, head of the NHS East Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “This simple blood test could play a major part in the revolution in cancer detection and treatment.
“By finding cancer at an early stage, before signs and symptoms even appear, we can give people the best chance of survival as the cancer is easier to treat.
“So, if you are invited, I’d really encourage you to take part, as you could be helping to transform cancer care and protect yourself.”
The simple blood test has been found to be particularly effective at finding cancers that are difficult to identify early – such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic and throat.
It works by finding chemical changes in fragments of genetic code – cell-free DNA (cfDNA) – that leak from tumours into the bloodstream.
The NHS will be sending out thousands of letters inviting people from different background and ethnicities aged between 50 and 77 to take part.
Participants, who must not have had a cancer diagnosis in the past three years, will be asked to give a blood sample at a lmobile clinic and they will then be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples.
The first location in the East Midlands to host a mobile clinic is Derby’s Sainsbury’s car park.
The clinic will stay there for a month from November before moving on to Northampton, Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln.
Professor Peter Sasieni, one of the trial’s lead investigators, said: “We need to study the Galleri test carefully to find out whether it can significantly reduce the number of cancers diagnosed at a late stage.
“The test could be a game-changer for early cancer detection, and we are excited to be leading this research. Cancer screening can find cancers earlier when they are more likely to be treated successfully, but not all types of screening work.
“Joining the trial is easy, and we are particularly keen to attract volunteers from diverse communities in the East Midlands to ensure the results are relevant for as many different people as possible.”
The randomised control trial means half the participants will have their blood sample screened with the Galleri test right away and the other half will have their sample stored and may be tested in the future.
This will allow scientists to compare the stage at which cancer is detected between the two groups.
People will only know they are in the test group if they are among the small minority whose test detects potential signals of cancer in their blood.
These people will be contacted by the trial nurse by phone and referred to an NHS hospital for further tests.
NHS East Midlands Cancer Alliance clinical director Alastair Simpson said: “Detecting cancer early will be key to improving outcomes in the East Midlands, which is why we’re tremendously supportive of NHS-Galleri.
“Taking part is easy so we ask people to look out for their invitation in the post and consider registering to give a simple blood sample at mobile clinics that will be located in towns and cities around the East Midlands over the next few months.”
GP clinical lead for the alliance, Dr Pawan Randev, said: “Volunteers will be helping the NHS be at the forefront of evaluating and introducing new technologies that could improve the health of millions.”
CHECK COULD SPOT MORE THAN 50 CANCERS BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR