An annual blood test could replace mammography screening for breast cancer, researchers say today.
The test could detect the early signs of cancer and could be undergone annually, according to a new study.
Today the first women will take part in tests at Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK, in a move timed to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The work is being undertaken by researchers at Leicester University and Imperial College London, and is being backed by Cancer Research UK.
Their aim is to test DNA in the blood of women undergoing screening to establish what DNA can predict cancer.
Researcher Dr Jacqui Shaw, from Leicester, said: "This exciting research means we could one day have a blood test that detects the very early signs of cancer meaning women could have an annual blood test rather than breast screening.
"This would remove any worry and anxiety for women who are called for further investigations after a mammogram only to find they don’t have cancer.
"As things stand we aren’t able to monitor breast cancer patients after they’ve had surgery and treatment – which is like treating diabetes but not measuring blood sugar levels. This new blood test could change that."
Researcher Professor Charles Coombes, of Imperial College, said: "When a woman has breast cancer we can tell by the DNA in their blood. But what we’re trying to find out in our study is how early the signs of breast cancer show up in a blood test.
"So by looking at blood samples of women who have breast cancer diagnosed through screening we can see if the cancer is already showing in their blood.
"Our research team is only looking at breast cancer, but there are a number of other projects that are looking at using a blood test to detect other cancers such as bowel and lung."
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