A new study (NHS-Galleri trial) tested whether a simple blood test could catch more cancers early. Bottom line: Stage 3 and 4 cancers (together) were not lowered by this study, so this test is NOT ready for prime time yet! A small silver lining is that when looking at stage 4 cancers alone, there was a 14% reduction, which MIGHT be promising.
We know that the key to effective screening tests is to find cancers at an early rather than late stage. Basically, this study tells us that more work is needed before blood tests become routine screening.
Kuznar, W. (n.d.). Multicancer early detection test fails to reduce cancers detected at late stages: However, an increase in the detection of stage I/II cancers was observed. MedPage Today. Full story: https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/asco/121498. Learn more about the NHS-Galleri trial: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05611632