A blood test that can detect 10 types of cancer potentially years before someone becomes ill has been described as the 'holy grail' of cancer research. Scientists in the US have found a simple test can pick up early signs of cancers including breast, ovarian, bowel and lung cancer.
It works by picking up fragments of DNA released into the blood by fast-growing cancer cells. In a study of more than 1,400 people, the triple test achieved up to 90 per cent accuracy.
Among four cancer-free people who tested positive, the US authors say two women were diagnosed with ovarian and endometrial cancer just months later.
A new blood test can detect 10 types of cancer potentially years before someone becomes ill