NHS Trials New Blood Test Detecting 12 Cancers in 8,000 Patients

A new blood test called miONCO-Dx, developed by the University of Southampton and UK biotech firm Xgenera, is set to be trialled on the NHS, aiming to detect up to 12 common cancers—including bowel, lung, breast, and prostate—with over 99% accuracy. The test analyzes micro RNA in blood samples using AI to identify and locate cancer in the body at an early stage. About 8,000 patients will participate in this trial, which health officials hope will improve survival rates by enabling earlier, faster, and less invasive diagnosis, potentially reducing the need for procedures like biopsies and colonoscopies. Experts describe the technology as 'cheap, fast and scalable,' and it could be rolled out nationwide within two years if the trial proves successful. The £2.4 million government-funded initiative is part of a broader national plan to transform cancer care and bring UK survival rates back to among the best in the world. The trial and related research are also seen as honoring the legacy of Dame Deborah James, a prominent cancer awareness campaigner.