Scientists in the UK have begun an investigation into the potential behind using a blood test to help spot the early signs of breast cancer.
Funded by Cancer Research UK in collaboration with Imperial College London and the University of Leicester, the pioneering clinical study is scheduled to begin at the Charing Cross Hospital in London.
The facility represents the largest breast screening clinic in the country – making it the ideal location for the new study.
Researchers will begin by taking blood samples from those women visiting this department of the hospital. The DNA in the blood of those who are diagnosed with breast cancer will then be compared with those who do not have cancer to see whether DNA markers are consistent.
It is hoped that the blood test could help medical professionals to improve treatment, by detecting whether patients are likely to relapse or the type of drugs their type of tumour may respond to.
Co-investigator professor Charles Coombes said: '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.'