Blood test detects cancer up to three years before diagnosis

Blood test detects cancer up to three years before diagnosis
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Scientists at Johns Hopkins have found that cancer-linked genetic mutations can appear in the bloodstream up to three years before a clinical diagnosis. Published in Cancer Discovery, the study used blood samples from the long-term Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to evaluate the effectiveness of multicancer early detection (MCED) tests.

Researchers analyzed plasma from 52 individuals—half diagnosed with cancer within six months, half without. Eight tested positive for cancer via an MCED test, with all eight receiving a diagnosis within four months. In four cases, mutations were also found in blood samples taken over three years earlier.

Lead researcher Dr. Yuxuan Wang said early detection offers greater opportunity for intervention when tumors are less advanced. Co-author Dr. Bert Vogelstein emphasized that the findings help define the sensitivity required for successful MCED screening, while Dr. Nickolas Papadopoulos (professor of oncology) noted the need to determine proper follow-up steps after a positive result.