Thousands of people in Nuneaton invited to trial 'revolutionary' new cancer test

The test can detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear. 

The test is a simple blood test that has shown to be effective at finding cancers that are normally difficult to identify early.

Nuneaton has been selected as one of several places within the West Midlands to take part in the world’s largest trial of the revolutionary new blood test.

Mr Marimuthu Kalimuthu, Lead Cancer Clinician at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, 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 Nuneaton will be at the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world. 

The trial is invitation only, so people in Nuneaton aged 50-77 may receive a letter from the NHS inviting them to volunteer.

Participants will have a small blood sample taken at a mobile clinic in Asda’s car park on Newtown Road from 10 January to 5 February 2022 and will be asked back after 12 months and 24 months to give further blood samples. 

Volunteers must not have had a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the last three years.

The trial team are inviting people from a wide range of backgrounds and ethnicities to ensure results are relevant for as many different people as possible.

Sir Harpal Kumar, President of GRAIL Europe, said: “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.”