Published on 10 June 2022
People in Central Liverpool are taking part in the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer often before symptoms appear.
The study is especially keen for people in the Black or South Asian communities to participate in the NHS-Galleri clinical research trial, which is arriving in the area on Monday, June 6th for two weeks.
Selected residents aged from 50 to 77 are receiving letters sent from the NHS that invites them to take part in the research and have a blood sample taken at their first appointment. They will be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples. The blood sample will be taken at a mobile clinic, which is at Tesco Extra, 215 Park Road, Toxteth (L8 4XF), until June 17th, 2022.
Toxteth GP Dr Cait Taylor, Joint Clinical Director and Chair of Tackling Racial Inequality Working Group at Central Liverpool PCN, said: “Many of us are now aware of the benefits of finding cancer earlier when it is easier to treat. By taking part in this trial, people from Central Liverpool will be at the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world.
“It is important for the effectiveness of the research that people from all backgrounds and communities take part in this clinical trial so that it is reflective of the country’s diverse population. So it is important that all people from across our community have a chance to participate.”
The potentially lifesaving Galleri test checks for the earliest signs of cancer in the blood. The NHS-Galleri trial, the first of its kind, will assess how well the test works in the NHS and whether the technology can be used as a tool to screen people with no cancer symptoms.
The trial aims to recruit 140,000 participants nationally, and more than 100,000 have already signed up, including from across mid-Cheshire, and the trial team will include people from different backgrounds and ethnicities to ensure results are relevant for as many different people as possible.
The NHS-Galleri trial is a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) – meaning that half the participants will have their blood sample screened with the Galleri test right away and the other half will have their sample stored and may be tested in the future.
This will allow scientists to compare the stage at which cancer is detected between the two groups. All participants will be advised to continue with their standard NHS screening appointments and to still contact their GP practice if they notice any new or unusual symptoms.
The Galleri 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 NHS-Galleri trial is being run by The Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit in partnership with the NHS and healthcare company, GRAIL, which has developed the Galleri test. Any participants whose results indicate a possible cancer will be urgently followed up in the NHS.
Initial results of the study are expected by 2023 and, if successful, NHS England 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 earlier typically have between five and 10 times the chance of surviving at least five years compared with those found at a later stage.
Dr Chris Warburton, Medical Director at Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance, said: “This quick and simple blood test could mark the beginning of a revolution in cancer detection and treatment here and around the world. By finding cancer before signs and symptoms even appear, we have the best chance of treating it and we can give people the best possible chance of survival.
“The NHS has a successful track record of leading the way on innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment, from CAR-T therapy to COVID-friendly drugs. The Galleri blood test, if successful, could play a major part in achieving our NHS Long Term Plan ambition to catch three-quarters of cancers at an early stage, when they are easier to treat.
“So if you are invited, please take part – you could be helping us to revolutionise cancer care and protect yourself.”
For more information on the study, see https://www.nhs-galleri.org/