More than 20,000 NHS patients are set to take part in a major trial exploring whether simple blood tests can help spot cancer earlier.
The STRIDE-RCT study will run across at least 200 GP practices in England. Patients aged 45 and over who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms, such as persistent bloating or discomfort, may be invited to take part.
The tests, developed mainly by the University of Birmingham, will look for signs of several cancers in a single blood sample and suggest where in the body they may have originated. They use technologies including artificial intelligence and analysis of proteins in the blood.
The cancers covered include bowel, stomach, pancreatic, liver, ovarian, kidney, bladder and prostate cancers, among others. A positive result would not confirm cancer, but could help GPs decide who needs an urgent referral.
Testing the approach across England
Funded with up to £8.49 million from the Office for Life Sciences and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the trial will include inner-city, rural, seaside and deprived communities.
Researchers will assess how the tests work alongside GPs’ judgement before any decision on wider NHS use. The aim is to improve diagnosis at a stage when treatment is more effective, while reducing unnecessary urgent referrals and the worry they can cause.
Why it matters for Britain
The trial gives NHS patients access to medical research taking place in GP practices across England. If successful, the tests could support earlier treatment, ease pressure on urgent referral services and strengthen the UK’s life sciences sector.
