Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Single blood test can now detect over 50 types of cancer

Although the test is still a “work in progress,” the researchers from Oxford University believe it has the potential to increase the number of identified cancers

Single blood test can now detect over 50 types of cancer

A major NHS trial has shown promising results for a blood test that can detect over 50 types of cancer, researchers from Oxford University said.

According to media reports, the test accurately identified two-thirds of cancers among 5,000 individuals who had visited their GP with suspected symptoms in England or Wales. It also successfully identified the original site of cancer in 85 per cent of positive cases.


The Galleri test examines genetic code fragments leaked from various cancers to identify distinct changes.

Detecting treatable cancer at an early stage can potentially save lives.

Although the test is still a "work in progress," the researchers believe it has the potential to increase the number of identified cancers.

Professor Mark Middleton, who led the trial, said the test could aid in identifying individuals who require cancer testing, but who are not urgently referred by their GPs.

Additionally, it could expedite diagnosis in cases where the appropriate rapid diagnostic pathway is uncertain.

The NHS has been using the Galleri test on asymptomatic individuals to detect hidden cancers, with initial results expected next year.

If successful, the NHS plans to expand the rollout to an additional one million people in 2024 and 2025.

The test demonstrates particular effectiveness in detecting hard-to-spot cancers like head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers, the BBC said.

However, according to Dr David Crosby from Cancer Research UK, further research is needed to determine its potential for improving GP assessments and patient outcomes.

The study's findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago between June 2-6, 2023.

More For You

nhs-hospital-getty

NHS faces pressure as flu admissions rise sharply

FLU cases in the country have surged, with over 5,000 hospital admissions last week, marking a sharp increase as the NHS faces pressure from a winter quad-demic of flu, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.

According to The Times, flu admissions rose from 4,102 on Christmas Day to 5,074 by 29 December.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI-diabetes-risk-tool-iStock

World's first AI diabetes risk tool to be tested by NHS in 2025

THE NHS in England is set to launch a world-first trial of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that predicts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes up to 13 years before symptoms appear.

The trial, scheduled for 2025, will take place at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Fire (agni) holds a profound significance in Vedic rituals

iStock

Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Ashwini Guruji

Agni, the first word of the Rig Veda, holds a profound significance. It is, in fact, a wondrous element. While most are familiar with fire for its heat and light, very few understand that fire sustains our body and plays a pivotal role in cleansing it and the surrounding elements. Even fewer appreciate its role as a medium to connect with the Devlok (realm of the divine), and hardly anyone explores its potential to manifest changes within and around them. Dhyan Ashram is one such rare place in today’s world where sadhaks (practitioners) experiment with and experience the extraordinary properties of fire.

In Vedic times, yagyas were a routine practice. They were not mere rituals but a precise science designed to invoke and channel the forces of Creation through the medium of fire. The Vedic Shastras detail nearly 400 types of yagyas, each with a specific purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
genomics-iStock

A recent RHO review highlighted significant gaps in health equity data for genomic services. (Representational image: iStock)

NHS study to tackle inequalities in access to genomic medicine

THE NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO) and NHS England have launched an 18-month research project to address disparities faced by ethnic minority groups in accessing genomic medicine.

The initiative will examine racial and ethnic biases in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) through national and regional assessments of health inequalities.

Keep ReadingShow less

Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, has been associated with reduced risks of several conditions, including heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses. (Photo: iStock)
Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, has been associated with reduced risks of several conditions, including heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses. (Photo: iStock)

Coffee could extend healthy lifespan by nearly two years, study finds

DRINKING coffee may extend a person’s healthy lifespan by almost two years, according to a study published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews. The research, which reviewed previously published studies, concluded that moderate coffee consumption could correspond to an average increase in healthspan of 1.8 years.

Researchers from Portugal highlighted coffee’s potential in promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially as the global population continues to age. "We know that the world's population is ageing faster than ever, which is why it's increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives," said Rodrigo Cunha from the University of Coimbra, who led the study.

Keep ReadingShow less