Ryan Wild
NHS launches world-first blood test to detect cancer earlier, giving patients new hope for faster diagnosis and treatment.
London, 30 May 2025 — In a landmark development for cancer diagnostics, the NHS in England is set to become the first healthcare system globally to implement widespread use of a revolutionary blood test capable of detecting cancer up to a year before it appears on traditional scans.
The test, known as a circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) test or “liquid biopsy,” identifies fragments of cancer DNA in the bloodstream, offering a non-invasive method to detect the presence of cancerous cells. Initially, the NHS will offer this test to patients with advanced breast cancer and those suspected of having non-small cell lung cancer. The Scottish Sun
Experts believe that early detection through ctDNA testing could significantly improve treatment outcomes. By identifying cancer at an earlier stage, patients may benefit from more targeted therapies, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures like surgery or chemotherapy. Additionally, the test allows for real-time monitoring of tumour progression, enabling clinicians to adjust treatment plans promptly. This level of precision in cancer care is a game-changer—allowing doctors to track how a patient’s cancer responds to treatment in real time, rather than relying solely on periodic scans and blood tests that may lag behind the cancer’s actual progression.
Clinicians have described the technology as “like having a window into the tumour’s behaviour,” enabling them to fine-tune therapies as the cancer evolves. This is particularly crucial for cancers known for developing resistance to treatment, such as non-small cell lung cancer and advanced breast cancer. Furthermore, the non-invasive nature of ctDNA testing—requiring only a simple blood sample—makes it far more accessible and less stressful for patients compared to biopsies or frequent imaging.
For patients, this means less waiting, fewer invasive procedures, and potentially better survival rates. For the NHS, it offers the promise of reduced treatment costs in the long term, as cancers detected early are generally less expensive to manage than those found at advanced stages. The hope is that as the technology matures, it will be rolled out for more cancer types, helping to close the gap in early diagnosis and improve survival rates across the board.
The decision to roll out ctDNA testing follows successful pilot programs and is expected to benefit thousands of patients annually. While the initial focus is on breast and lung cancers, there are plans to expand the use of this technology to other cancer types in the future.
This initiative complements existing UK screening programs, such as mammograms for breast cancer and Pap/HPV tests for cervical cancer. However, prostate cancer screening remains limited due to the lack of a national initiative, primarily because of the limitations associated with the PSA test.
Leading oncologists and medical associations have expressed optimism about the ctDNA test’s potential to revolutionise cancer care. They emphasise the importance of early detection in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Professor Charles Swanton, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK, described the test as a “major step forward,” highlighting how it could catch cancers before they cause symptoms or spread. Others have echoed his sentiments, pointing to the potential for ctDNA testing to transform the way cancer is managed in the NHS, moving from reactive treatment to proactive, precision-targeted care.
The excitement among healthcare professionals is matched by cautious optimism within patient advocacy groups. They note that while the test holds immense promise, it must be rolled out equitably across the country, ensuring patients from all backgrounds have access to this potentially life-saving technology. There are also calls for further research to assess how ctDNA testing performs across a range of cancer types and patient demographics.
As the NHS embarks on this groundbreaking initiative, patients and healthcare providers alike are hopeful that ctDNA testing will usher in a new era of cancer diagnostics, characterised by earlier detection, personalised treatment plans, and improved survival rates. For many, this feels like a long-awaited breakthrough—one that could mark the start of a new chapter in the fight against cancer. While challenges remain in scaling up the technology, the mood is one of cautious excitement, with a shared determination to make this innovation accessible to as many patients as possible, as quickly as possible.
Isma May
