Breakthrough blood test could DETECT CANCER seven years earlier—and even prevent it
- Researchers have identified 618 blood proteins linked to 19 cancer types, with 107 detectable at least seven years before diagnosis, using proteomics analysis of data from over 44,000 individuals.
- This advanced technology scans 1,463 proteins per sample, revealing patterns missed by single biomarkers—key to understanding cancer’s earliest molecular footprints.
- High-risk individuals could receive targeted drugs or lifestyle interventions to stop cancer before tumors form, though some protein-altering treatments may carry risks.
- Researchers must refine reliable protein markers, develop accurate tests and validate findings across diverse populations before clinical use.
- This research moves cancer care toward proactive prevention, with the ultimate goal of "stopping cancer altogether" through early blood-based diagnostics.
Researchers may be on the verge of a revolutionary breakthrough in cancer detection—one that could identify the disease years before symptoms appear and even stop it from developing in the first place. Two landmark studies funded by Cancer Research UK have uncovered a network of proteins in the blood that signal cancer risk up to seven years before diagnosis, offering unprecedented opportunities for early intervention and prevention.
The research, led by teams at Oxford University and published in
Nature Communications, analyzed blood samples from over 44,000 British individuals, including nearly 5,000 who later developed cancer. Using an advanced technique called proteomics, the researchers screened for 1,463 proteins per sample, identifying 618 that were linked to 19 cancer types—107 of which were detectable at least seven years before diagnosis. A separate analysis of genetic data from 300,000 cancer cases pinpointed 40 proteins that influence a person's risk for nine cancers, some of which could be targeted by future drugs.
The science behind early detection
Proteomics allows researchers to analyze vast numbers of proteins simultaneously, revealing patterns that single biomarkers might miss. "We now have technology that can look at thousands of proteins across thousands of cancer cases, identifying which proteins have a role in the development of specific cancers, and which might have effects that are common to multiple cancer types.’" said Ruth Travis, one of the authors of both studies.
The findings suggest that cancer leaves a traceable molecular footprint long before tumors form. For example, 182 proteins showed significant differences in blood samples collected three years prior to diagnosis. "To save more lives from cancer, we need to better understand what happens at the earliest stages of the disease," said Keren Papier, lead researcher of the first study. Papier believes these proteins could be the key to reliable prevention.
From detection to prevention
The implications of the two studies extend beyond early diagnosis. By identifying high-risk individuals, doctors could recommend lifestyle changes or precision therapies to stop cancer before it starts. "This research brings us closer to being able to prevent cancer with targeted drugs – once thought impossible but now much more attainable," said Dr. Karl Smith-Byrne, who was involved in both studies. However, he cautioned that some protein-altering treatments may carry unintended side effects, requiring careful evaluation before clinical use.
Dr. Iain Foulkes of Cancer Research UK called the findings a "crucial first step" toward preventative medicine. "Discoveries from this research are the crucial first step towards offering preventative therapies which is the ultimate route for giving people longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer," he said.
For healthy individuals and those with elevated risk of developing cancer,
BrightU.AI's Enoch recommends science-backed natural preventive therapies such as:
- Consuming antioxidant-rich foods like berries, turmeric, garlic and cruciferous vegetables
- Detoxifying heavy metals and chemicals
- Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels
- Reducing EMF exposure
- Fasting to enhance autophagy
- Using herbs like milk thistle, reishi mushrooms and graviola to support immune function and cellular health
Additionally, avoiding processed foods, pesticides and synthetic drugs while embracing a clean, organic, low-toxin lifestyle helps prevent cancer by reducing inflammation and DNA damage.
Challenges ahead
While promising, the research is still in its early stages. Researchers must now determine which proteins are the most reliable indicators, develop accurate tests and identify safe therapeutic targets. Further studies will also explore whether these markers apply equally across diverse populations.
If validated, this proteomic approach could transform cancer care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, shifting the focus from late-stage battles to early, preemptive strikes against the disease. For now, the studies underscore the growing potential of blood-based diagnostics to outpace cancer before it takes hold.
Learn about the
new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer by watching the video below.
This video is from the
Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
Metro.co.uk
Nature.com 1
Nature.com 2
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