We welcome new NHS blood test trial to help spot bowel cancer earlier

We have welcomed a new trial announced by the Department of Health and Social Care across at least 200 GP practices in England aimed at providing earlier diagnosis for cancers like bowel cancer.

Over 20,000 NHS patients will take part in the trial, which will assess whether simple blood tests can spot early markers of abdominal cancers like bowel cancer before more severe symptoms develop.

Patients aged 45 and over who visit their GP with vague abdominal symptoms – such as persistent bloating or discomfort – will be offered the chance to take part in the trial.

Abdominal cancers like bowel cancer are often found too late. Over nine in 10 people diagnosed with bowel cancer at stage 1 will survive for five years or more. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops.

This new trial gives the chance for clinicians to catch these cancers earlier when treatment is more effective, potentially saving lives.

Jodie Moffat, Director of Charitable Impact at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We welcome this new trial, which will help to guide improvements in the diagnosis of bowel cancer.

“Diagnosing bowel cancer can be tricky, particularly when the symptoms could be caused by a range of different diseases, so innovations which help health professionals to work out which patients need to be urgently referred would be a very positive step forward.

“We look forward to seeing the results of the trial and are excited to see the positive difference it could make to the lives of many affected by bowel cancer.”

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