LONDON, UK: Family doctors across England will take part in a world-first clinical trial to determine whether simple blood tests can help detect six common cancers earlier, potentially improving patients' chances of survival.

The trial, involving more than 20,000 patients at a minimum of 200 National Health Service (NHS) GP practices, will assess whether the tests can help doctors identify patients who need urgent investigation and treatment sooner.

Developed by the University of Birmingham, the tests are designed to detect signs of cancer in blood samples and indicate where in the body the disease may have originated.

The research will focus on six abdominal cancers: prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach and liver. These cancers are often diagnosed at a late stage, making early detection particularly important.

Patients aged 45 and older who visit their family doctor with abdominal symptoms, including persistent bloating or discomfort, will be eligible to participate.

The tests will use technologies including artificial intelligence and the measurement of proteins in blood samples to help identify possible signs of cancer.

Britain has one of the highest cancer mortality rates per capita among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighting the importance of efforts to improve early diagnosis.

The trial will examine how accurately the tests work and whether they can support general practitioners in deciding which patients require further investigation.

Researchers will assess the results before determining whether the tests should be introduced more widely across the NHS.

The initiative represents a potential step toward making early cancer detection more accessible through primary care, although the tests must first demonstrate their effectiveness in the clinical trial before any nationwide rollout is considered.

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