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Cancer blood test currently being trialled by the NHS

A Simple Blood Test Claims to Detect 50 Cancers but FDA Approval Remains Uncertain

The Galleri blood test, developed by US firm Grail and currently being trialled by the NHS, shows promise in detecting signals from 50 cancers for earlier diagnosis.
Early trial results indicate a 62 per cent positive predictive value, meaning 62 per cent of positive results correctly identify cancer, but 38 per cent are false alarms.
The test boasts a high specificity of 99.6 per cent, accurately ruling out cancer in individuals without the disease, though widespread use could still generate numerous false positives.
A significant limitation is its sensitivity of 40.4 per cent, meaning it misses approximately three out of five cancers, which could lead to false reassurance for patients.
Experts suggest the test could be a useful addition to future screening programmes but caution that it is expensive, lacks evidence of reducing cancer deaths, and is not a standalone solution.