Developing a new type of blood test for early detection of cancer
Cairo – Central Gate Wednesday 11 March 2026, 05:17 pm
Scientists are developing a new type of blood test aimed at detecting cancer early, sometimes even before any symptoms appear. The idea is to analyze a single blood sample to search for precise genetic traces of cancer cells that may be present in the body.
These tests rely on monitoring small fragments of DNA released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Advanced analysis devices are used to examine these fragments and look for patterns that may indicate the presence of a tumor somewhere in the body, according to a study published by “The Conversation” magazine.
Researchers hope that this technology will allow a person to be examined once every six or twelve months to detect dozens of types of cancer at the same time, which may allow treatment of the disease in its early stages when the chances of recovery are greater. The National Health Service in England (NHS) described these tests as “the beginning of a revolution” in cancer diagnosis, during a trial that included about 142,000 people.
However, recent studies indicate that the results are still lower than expectations. In one large study in Britain, the test failed to detect most cases of cancer that later appeared in participants.
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Researchers warn that a negative result may give some people a false sense of security, which may prompt them to postpone visiting a doctor when worrying symptoms appear. Doctors confirm that traditional tests such as mammograms or colon and cervical cancer tests are based on decades of research that has proven their ability to reduce deaths.
New technology challenges
New tests can also produce false alarms, as the results may sometimes indicate the presence of cancer in healthy people, which causes great concern and leads to additional tests that may not be necessary.
The cost of this technology represents another challenge, as its development and widespread use may consume significant resources from health systems before its true effectiveness in saving lives is confirmed.
However, scientists believe that these tests should not be completely rejected. The science behind it is advancing rapidly, and it may be particularly useful in people who are at higher risk of developing cancer, such as those with a strong family history of the disease or inherited genetic mutations.
It can also play an important role in following up patients after treatment to detect cancer recurrence, or in choosing the most appropriate treatments based on the biological characteristics of the tumor.
Experts stress that the best approach currently is to continue research and clinical trials before these tests are widely adopted, while remembering that paying attention to health symptoms and seeing a doctor when they appear remains the most reliable means of early detection of cancer.
