Publish date: 13 September 2021
The NHS has launched the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.
CMCA has been involved in setting up a pilot site for the study in Runcorn, one of just two launch sites in England.
The potentially lifesaving Galleri™ test checks for the earliest signs of cancer in the blood and the NHS-Galleri trial, the first of its kind, aims to recruit 140,000 volunteers nationally, including thousands in Cheshire and Merseyside, to see how well the test works in the NHS.
The first mobile unit in the North West, at Trident Retail Park in Runcorn, is open now and will stay there until the end of September, before moving to Warrington and then St Helens ahead of a rollout across the rest of Cheshire and Merseyside.
All the units will be placed in retail parks and other convenient community locations.
Dr Chris Warburton, Medical Director of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, said:“Detecting cancer early will be key to improving cancer outcomes across the North West, which is why we’re tremendously supportive of NHS-Galleri.
“Taking part is easy so we ask people to look out for their invitation in the post and consider registering to give a simple blood sample at mobile clinics that will be located in towns and cities around Cheshire and Merseyside over the next few months.”
Stuart Devereux, a serving fire brigade officer, is among the first trial participants in Runcorn. He said: “Being able to contribute to this study that could save many lives was a very easy decision to make, and it’s not going to take up much of my time.
“Working in the fire service, we save lives by preventing rather than fighting fires and in a similar way I’m keen to be involved in helping the NHS to trial new technology that can detect cancer before symptoms appear.
“We will only make progress in tackling cancer if people come forward for trials like this.”
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.