A blood test that could detect 12 cancers is being developed by scientists at a British university, the health secretary has said.
“Just a couple of drops of blood could tell you if you had lung, breast or bladder cancer, helping end months-long waits for tests and scans,” Wes Streeting added.
Academics from the University of Southampton will lead a team working on the new diagnostic tool, the health secretary explained.
It is one of a series of innovations, including personalised immunotherapy treatments, that could share public and private sector investment worth £148m.
Others may include cheaper scanners that help to detect early signs of cancer, and artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer through data shared across the NHS, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Research hubs will be created at University College London, the University of Liverpool, the University of Bristol, the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh.
The investments will help to produce “cutting-edge treatments”, Mr Streeting said.
“Catching cancer earlier” will also “boost the UK’s economic growth”, he added.
