New blood test unveiled to enhance detection of common cancers
FILE-A laboratory technician places human blood samples on an automated testing line at a medical facility. (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images)
Researchers have developed a new blood test that can identify cancer in the body as part of a National Health Service (NHS) trial in the UK.
What is the miONCO-Dx test?
Why you should care:
The miONCO-Dx test measures biomarkers, or biological indicators, in a blood sample and uses AI to discover cancers.
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The technology was created by the biotechnology company Xgenera and developed with scientists from the University of Southampton in England.
London media outlet SkyNews reported that 20,000 patients have used this test which is 99% accurate in finding where cancers are and allowing a diagnosis to be performed when the cancer is in the early and treatable stage.
How does the blood test work?
Dig deeper:
The test only requires 10 drops of blood to detect signs of a dozen cancers well before symptoms develop.
This test can determine common cancers, including lung, gastric, prostate, esophageal, liver, bladder, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic and breast cancers - as well as bone and soft tissue sarcoma and a type of brain tumor.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by SkyNews and www.gov.uk, which offers background on the blood test. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.