A new blood test is designed to pick up specific markers which show changes in the behaviour of stem cells that are a precursor to cancer mutations.
A blood test that identifies signs of cancer up to a year before tumours have even formed has been developed by scientists. Trial results have proved 100 percent accurate, even detecting cancers in the “control group” of patients who were believed to be cancer-free.
Researchers say that if the 1,000-strong trial can be successfully replicated on a larger scale it would represent the “holy grail” of cancer diagnosis, offering easy access to early, life-saving treatment.