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A new way to monitor cancer - using simple blood tests
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Can blood tests help track how cancer is responding to treatment? We are running a research study to assess how we monitor lung and bowel cancer using simple blood tests. What we learn from this study may help improve future cancer care by making cancer monitoring simpler and more personalised as well as potentially reducing reliance on scans.
People receiving treatment for advanced cancer are usually monitored with scans every 8–12 weeks. Although scans are important, they do not always show early changes in the cancer and can have drawbacks. Variations in how quickly scans can be arranged and results are returned can slow down care. Regular hospital visits can also disrupt daily life and cause financial and emotional stress, while frequent scans place pressure on NHS resources.
A simple blood test can find tiny pieces of DNA from cancer cells in the blood. This is called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). Changes in ctDNA levels may show whether treatment is working, or if the cancer is starting to grow again, sometimes earlier than scans can detect.
How the test will work
Participants will give extra blood samples alongside their usual care. Wherever possible, these will be taken at the same time as routine blood tests to avoid extra hospital visits. This study includes a simple finger‑prick blood test that people can carry out at home, similar to how people with diabetes check their blood sugar levels. The test is designed to be easy to use. Participants will be shown how to do it, with clear written instructions and a short video. The first test will be done in clinic with support, so people feel confident before continuing at home where possible. Home testing could make future cancer checks easier, more flexible and more accessible.
We will compare the blood test results with scan findings and what happens to people over time to understand how well this approach works. The blood tests are for research only, so they will not affect treatment decisions and individual results will not be shared.
How you can get involved
We want to work closely with patients and the public to ensure this research is practical and designed around the real-life needs of people living with cancer, helping to shape more accessible and flexible cancer care closer to home.
If you would like to join our patient and public involvement working group, and you fit the criteria listed on the right of the page, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Can blood tests help track how cancer is responding to treatment? We are running a research study to assess how we monitor lung and bowel cancer using simple blood tests. What we learn from this study may help improve future cancer care by making cancer monitoring simpler and more personalised as well as potentially reducing reliance on scans.
People receiving treatment for advanced cancer are usually monitored with scans every 8–12 weeks. Although scans are important, they do not always show early changes in the cancer and can have drawbacks. Variations in how quickly scans can be arranged and results are returned can slow down care. Regular hospital visits can also disrupt daily life and cause financial and emotional stress, while frequent scans place pressure on NHS resources.
A simple blood test can find tiny pieces of DNA from cancer cells in the blood. This is called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). Changes in ctDNA levels may show whether treatment is working, or if the cancer is starting to grow again, sometimes earlier than scans can detect.
How the test will work
Participants will give extra blood samples alongside their usual care. Wherever possible, these will be taken at the same time as routine blood tests to avoid extra hospital visits. This study includes a simple finger‑prick blood test that people can carry out at home, similar to how people with diabetes check their blood sugar levels. The test is designed to be easy to use. Participants will be shown how to do it, with clear written instructions and a short video. The first test will be done in clinic with support, so people feel confident before continuing at home where possible. Home testing could make future cancer checks easier, more flexible and more accessible.
We will compare the blood test results with scan findings and what happens to people over time to understand how well this approach works. The blood tests are for research only, so they will not affect treatment decisions and individual results will not be shared.
How you can get involved
We want to work closely with patients and the public to ensure this research is practical and designed around the real-life needs of people living with cancer, helping to shape more accessible and flexible cancer care closer to home.
If you would like to join our patient and public involvement working group, and you fit the criteria listed on the right of the page, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
People with lung or bowel cancer (including those who have previously received cancer treatment)
People with experience of advanced (stage 4) cancer no matter where the cancer started in the body, to understand the impact of frequent monitoring and treatment burden
Family members and carers
We are especially interested in working with people who may be underrepresented in research or face additional challenges in accessing care, including:
People who find frequent hospital visits difficult
People from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
