Tests

• Science & Technology

The "humble" blood cells that could expose cancer's secrets

Our researchers have uncovered that platelets can hoover up cancer DNA, which suggests we could use them to detect cancers earlier. Our researchers have uncovered that platelets can hoover up cancer DNA, which suggests we could use them to detect cancers earlier.

14 August 2025

• Policy & Insight

How we helped shape Scotland’s cancer referral guidelines

We just helped bring Scotland’s cancer referral guidelines in line with the latest evidence, and we want to make sure the rest of the UK is up to date, too. We just helped bring Scotland’s cancer referral guidelines in line with the latest evidence, and we want to make sure the rest of the UK is up to date, too.

11 August 2025

• Science & Technology

Liquid biopsy tests could help treat children and young people with cancer

A new blood test that uncovers hidden changes inside cancer cells could help doctors find the best treatments for children and young people with cancer. A new blood test that uncovers hidden changes inside cancer cells could help doctors find the best treatments for children and young people with cancer.

9 June 2025

• Health & Medicine

Detecting prostate cancer: why we need more research

We set out why we believe there are currently no easy solutions to prostate cancer early diagnosis, and what we’re doing at Cancer Research UK to change that. We set out why we believe there are currently no easy solutions to prostate cancer early diagnosis, and what we’re doing at Cancer Research UK to change that.

14 April 2025

• Science & Technology
• Health & Medicine
• Charity News

Our Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month research roundup

Around 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year. For Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting some of the ways we're working to help them. Around 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year. For Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting some of the ways we're working to help them.

26 March 2025

• Health & Medicine

Manchester scientists discover simple blood test to spot skin cancer returning

Our DETECTION-2 trial will test a blood test developed by our researchers in Manchester to see if it can help spot signs that melanoma may return Our DETECTION-2 trial will test a blood test developed by our researchers in Manchester to see if it can help spot signs that melanoma may return

20 March 2025

• Science & Technology

DNA testing predicts bowel cancer risk in people with IBD

A new testing technique with genome sequencing is 90% accurate at predicting which high-risk people with IBD will develop bowel cancer, according to a study by our scientists.  A new testing technique with genome sequencing is 90% accurate at predicting which high-risk people with IBD will develop bowel cancer, according to a study by our scientists. 

30 January 2025

• Science & Technology

An AI test to help guide bowel cancer treatment

A new AI test that looks at immune cells could help people with stage 2 bowel cancer avoid chemotherapy after surgery, cutting side effects. A new AI test that looks at immune cells could help people with stage 2 bowel cancer avoid chemotherapy after surgery, cutting side effects.

27 January 2025

• Science & Technology

World-first urine test for lung cancer picks out 'zombie' cells

With our funding, scientists in Cambridge have created a urine test that can detect some of the first signs of lung cancer. With our funding, scientists in Cambridge have created a urine test that can detect some of the first signs of lung cancer.

6 December 2024

• Health & Medicine

New oesophageal cancer screening trial begins testing the capsule sponge

Our BEST4 Screening trial will give 120,000 people with chronic heartburn a 'pill-on-a-thread' test to look for signs of Barrett's oesophagus, a rare condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer. The results will show whether the UK can use the test for a new oesophageal cancer screening programme. Our BEST4 Screening trial will give 120,000 people with chronic heartburn a 'pill-on-a-thread' test to look for signs of Barrett's oesophagus, a rare condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer. The results will show whether the UK can use the test for a new oesophageal cancer screening programme.

28 November 2024