New Blood Test Could Revolutionize Early Cancer Detection and Save Lives

By Staff, Agencies

A promising new blood test known as a multi-cancer early detection [MCED] test may significantly improve the way cancer is diagnosed and treated.

Unlike traditional screenings that target only a few cancer types, the MCED test looks for chemical signals in the blood that may indicate over 20 kinds of cancer—even before symptoms appear.

Published in BMJ Open, a new study found that routine use of the MCED test could catch cancers in their earlier stages, when they are easier to treat, potentially preventing deaths and reducing the number of advanced cancer cases.

Currently, standard screening programs in the US focus on specific cancers like breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung [in high-risk individuals]. While helpful, these tests can sometimes lead to false positives. Researchers suggest that adding the MCED test to current screenings—annually or every two years—could enhance detection rates and minimize unnecessary interventions.

Using previously developed disease progression models and cancer statistics from the US SEER program, the study evaluated how effective the test could be for individuals aged 50 to 79. It considered two cancer growth scenarios: “fast” [early stage lasting 2–4 years] and “fast aggressive” [early stage lasting 1–2 years before rapid spread].

Results showed clear benefits:

• Annual screening detected 370 additional cancers per 100,000 people, reduced late-stage diagnoses by 49%, and lowered five-year cancer deaths by 21%.
• Biennial screening found 292 more cancers, reduced late-stage diagnoses by 39%, and cut five-year mortality by 17%.

Though annual testing was more effective, biennial screening proved more efficient, detecting more cancers per test and preventing more deaths per 100,000 screenings.

Specifically, out of 392 expected annual deaths from aggressive cancers, biennial screening could prevent 54 deaths [14%], while annual screening could save 84 lives [21%].

While the findings assume ideal conditions—where everyone is screened on schedule and follow-up care is perfect—researchers caution that real-world results may differ. They also note that early diagnosis doesn't always guarantee survival; outcomes also depend on treatment success and patient health.

Despite these limitations, the study concludes that integrating the MCED test into routine care could be a major step forward in cancer prevention and early intervention. Yearly tests offer greater impact, while testing every two years delivers more efficient outcomes with fewer false positives.

If widely adopted alongside existing screenings, the MCED test has the potential to transform cancer care and save countless lives.