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Blood tests detect cancer in its early stages
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a simple but effective blood test that can detect the presence of malignant tumors at an early stage of development.
The new development takes less time to detect breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer - the most common type of lung cancer - before the obvious symptoms (cough, weight loss) that indicate the disease.
In the near future, scientists will test a test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
The test was developed by Professor of Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology Stefan Bossman.
“We see this development as an important step toward improving the early diagnosis of malignant tumors in humans,” says study co-author Dr. Troyer. “The new test will be of particular benefit to smokers, who are at risk of developing lung cancer, as well as people with a family history of cancer1.”
According to experts, taking a cancer test should look like this: quarterly or once a year, a person undergoes a non-invasive test that can easily detect the presence of cancer at the initial stage of its development.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer killed 39,920 women in 2012, and lung cancer claimed 160,340 lives.
With the exception of breast cancer, most cancers can be divided into four stages, which are classified based on how big the tumor is and how far the cancer cells have spread throughout the body. Breast cancer and lung cancer are usually discovered and diagnosed at stage two, when people begin to feel pain, fatigue, and cough. Numerous studies show that the earlier cancers are detected, the greater the chance of being cured.
"However, there is a very big problem - people may not even suspect that they are sick. Usually, at the first stage, cancer causes practically no symptoms, that is, it does not reveal its presence.
The test works by detecting increased enzyme activity in the body. Iron nanoparticles coated with amino acids and a dye are injected into a small amount of the patient's blood or urine. The amino acids and dye interact with enzymes in the patient's urine or blood sample. Each type of cancer produces a specific combination of enzymes, allowing doctors to identify the cancer.
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