Vancouver has become an international leader in cancer research! AIM's Whole Body Diffusion MRI detects cancer in its earliest stages, and the BC Cancer Agency is conducting developmental research on a blood test that should be able to detect early signals of cancer.
The study will look at the blood of 1000 participants aged 55-70, all of whom have no indication of cancer in their prior health history. The study is looking specifically for signs of cancer in the DNA of the participants.
The researchers speculate that the blood test will be able to detect 96 different gene mutations found in several different types of cancer.
Of course, early detection means better treatment options and higher likelihood of remission. The study is expected to finish up by September 2017, but ongoing studies are expected after that.
"“There will have to be a bigger study done after this one to fully characterize this screening test,” said lead researcher Dr. Alan Nichol. “And from information in that future study, we might be able to learn more about the intervals that are required to do the testing and how often we would find cancer if the test is repeated.”