Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered an innovative method to detect cancer by analyzing genetic material in the bloodstream three years before a diagnosis. The study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, analyzed plasma samples from a large Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to identify risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
The team tested 26 participants who developed cancer within six months of sample collection against 26 participants without cancer. Eight participants scored positively on a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test and were diagnosed with cancer four months later. Further analysis revealed that in four samples, researchers identified tumor-derived mutations three to four years prior to diagnosis.
The findings suggest that detecting cancer years before a clinical diagnosis could lead to better management outcomes and more favorable results. However, the authors emphasize the need for further investigation into determining the appropriate clinical follow-up after a positive test result.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/cancer-could-detected-three-years-before-diagnosis-experimental-blood-test