PEOPLE in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been selected to take part in a revolutionary medical trial to detect over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.

Those living in Worcester City, Redditch, Hereford City, Ross-on-Wye and Leominster aged 50-77 are being asked to look out over the coming weeks for a letter from the NHS inviting them to volunteer for the trial.

Participants, who must not have had a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the last three years will have a small blood sample taken at a mobile clinic from December 6 to January 8 2022. They will be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples.

The test is a simple blood test that research has shown is particularly effective at finding cancers that are difficult to identify early, such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic and throat cancers.

It works by finding chemical changes in fragments of genetic code – cell-free DNA (cfDNA) – that leak from tumours into the bloodstream.

The mobile clinic will move on to other locations across the West Midlands following its time in the two counties.

Dr Carl Ellson, Medical Director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG, said: “Most of us are now aware of the benefits of finding cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.

"By taking part in this trial, the people of the identified locations in Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be at the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world.

"Registering for the trial is easy – just look out for the letter which will show you how to book an appointment online or over the phone.”

West Midlands Cancer Alliance is helping to ensure that participants who test positive in this region get the necessary follow-up appointments.

Initial results of the study are expected by 2023 and, if successful, NHS England and NHS Improvement plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025.

The trial is the latest initiative launched by the NHS to meet its long term plan commitment of finding three-quarters of cancers at an early stage by 2028.

Patients whose condition is diagnosed at ‘stage one’ typically have between five and 10 times the chance of surviving compared with those found at ‘stage four’.

Over the course of the pandemic, the rate of late cancer diagnoses in Worcestershire and Herefordshire improved by 1%, and so is currently relatively stable.

Sarah Hughes, Managing Director Cancer Alliances Midlands, said: “If you receive a letter, please do consider volunteering as soon as you can by booking an appointment online or over the phone while the clinic is based in your area.”

The NHS-Galleri trial is being run by The Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit in partnership with NHS England and healthcare company, GRAIL, which has developed the Galleri test.

All participants will be advised to continue with their standard NHS screening appointments and to still contact their GP if they notice any new or unusual symptoms. 

Sir Harpal Kumar, President of GRAIL Europe, said: "We’re delighted to partner with the NHS to support the NHS Long Term Plan for earlier cancer diagnosis, and we are eager to bring our technology to people in the UK as quickly as we can.

"The Galleri test can not only detect a wide range of cancer types but can also predict where the cancer is in the body with a high degree of accuracy.

"The test is particularly strong at detecting deadly cancers and has a very low rate of false positives.”