New cancer tests are 'spark of light' which will lift fear

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock praises 'onwards march of medicine'

By David Williamson, Sunday Express Political Editor

19:33, Sat, Oct 12, 2024 | UPDATED: 19:36, Sat, Oct 12, 2024

Prostate cancer research

Breakthroughs offer an alternative to blood tests (Image: PA)

New cancer tests that have the potential to transform detection and ensure people get diagnosed and treated much earlier are a “spark of light” which will give people cause to look to the future with hope, according to former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

There is excitement about a “spit test” for prostate cancer that can be taken at home. Research suggests it identifies those who are at the highest risk with greater accuracy than the standard blood test.

Prostate cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in men and early detection is considered “critical” to fighting the disease.

Next year breathalyser-style tests will be trialled to identify cancers of the gut.

If successful, the tests will be less invasive and cheaper than traditional ways of detecting cancer – and results could be available much sooner.

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Mr Hancock said: “These new tests are a spark of light. This amazing new technology will mean people can look to the future with hope, with faster diagnosis, more accurate treatment, and better outcomes.

“It’s wonderful to see the onwards march of medicine lifting fear once more.”

Scientists have ambitions to use Artificial Intelligence to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage and last week a £118million fund was announced to create research hubs across the country.

Tacking prostate cancer is a key goal, with one in eight men expected to experience it. According to Prostate Cancer UK: “If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk.”

A study by London’s Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust found the saliva test delivered fewer false positives and detected a bigger share of aggressive cancers.

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The Department of Health and Social Care is investing £16million into new ways to catch prostate cancer at the earliest possible stage.

It is also running the “transform” trial which aims to tackle health inequalities by ensuring that one in 10 participants are black men.

People are invited to take part in the screening which involves a short scan, a practice scan and a blood test.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Research, researchers have “developed a new MRI technique that can allow prostate cancer to be detected using a five-minute scan as opposed to the current 35-40-minute MRI scan”. It can be delivered in the community “in a travelling van” and it is hoped this “could allow men, who would otherwise not be scanned, the opportunity to have their cancer detected earlier”.