Groundbreaking new test 90% accurate in finding patients at high risk of bowel cancer
Scientists believe a groundbreaking new test may predict patients at high risk of developing bowel cancer with 90 per cent accuracy.
Research, published in the journal Gut on Thursday, could lead to blood testing for the thousands of Britons with irritable bowel diseases (IBD) ulcerative colitis or Crohn's who were most at risk of developing bowel cancer, and help avoid some invasive procedures.
There are about 500,000 people living in the UK with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's, according to the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK, and bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK according to Cancer Research UK.
Director of the centre for evolution and cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, Professor Trevor Graham, said most people living with those diseases would not develop bowel cancer as a result, but the options for those showing signs of pre-cancer were tough.
'Either they have it monitored regularly, in the hope that it doesn't become cancer, or they have their bowel removed to guarantee they don't get cancer in the future. Neither of these options are particularly pleasant,' he said.
'Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are common and we need better tools to identify the patients at highest risk of bowel cancer.'
Scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research worked with St Mark's Hospital to get samples of pre-cancerous cells from 122 patients with IBD.
Within five years, about half had developed bowel cancer, and the researchers worked out those whose cancerous cells had lost or gained multiple copies of their DNA were far more likely to develop bowel cancer. The scientists then created an algorithm to calculate the risk of future bowel cancer based on the pattern made by the altered DNA.
Prof Graham said: 'Our test and algorithm give people with IBD, and the doctors who care for them, the best possible information so that they can make the right decision about how to manage their cancer risk. We can accurately identify those people at high risk whilst putting the minds of many others at rest.'
Craig Foster lost his wife Fariba to bowel cancer in February 2024. She had lived with ulcerative colitis, and had three-quarters of her bowel removed when she was 18.
Mr Foster said the research, which was funded by Cancer Research UK and the Barts Charity, had the potential to save others in Fariba's position.
'Cancer takes no prisoners and it doesn't matter who you are or from what walk of life, everyone is affected in some way. Fariba died just six months after she was diagnosed. Even though it was a short time, it was the worst time,' he said.
'Research like this will save lives. It gives me comfort to know that there are scientists working right now so that no-one has to experience the same situation Fariba was in.'
Study co-lead Professor Ailsa Hart said the hope was this finding would reduce the need for invasive testing for at-risk patients.
"Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than people without IBD, and need to undergo assessment with regular colonoscopies to try to detect early signs of cancer. These tests are onerous and unpleasant for patients, imperfect at detecting early cancer changes and costly to health services,' she said.
'If early signs of cancer are detected, surgery, which involves removing the colon, is advocated. Finding smarter ways to assess these colons is much needed.'
Prof Hart, who also leads the inflammatory bowel disease research unit at St Mark's the National Bowel Hospital, said this work could be 'readily translated' into practice and help patients with IBD and early cancer signs make decisions about surgery.
Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr Iain Foulkes, said bowel cancer treatment is 'far more likely' to be effective if the disease is caught early.
'With this research, we can focus resources on treating people with IBD who are at really high risk, saving health services valuable time and money. We can also give those at lower risk peace of mind and remove the fear of bowel cancer in the future,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Statesman
2 days ago
- New Statesman
Local focus can change the big picture
Photo by travellight / Shutterstock In Barnsley, a South Yorkshire town with a proud industrial heritage, we're spearheading public service reform to tackle economic inactivity – one of Britain's most urgent challenges. While recent local elections show growing support for simplistic solutions, Barnsley is proving that practical innovation trumps political division and false promises. The Pathways to Work Commission, established by Barnsley Council and chaired by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, found seven in ten economically inactive people would take suitable employment. This suggests 4.5 million out-of-work Britons could enter the jobs market with proper support, far more than the 1.37 million in official figures. The commission identified 'a catastrophic failure' in the benefits, health and employment system with 'a chaotic mass' of initiatives impossible for users to navigate. The system fails to provide tailored support for complex needs with insufficient integration of services. There is little engagement with employers to create suitable jobs and, typical of centralised programmes, no recognition of local labour market conditions. Consider Michelle, whose story epitomises this state of affairs. After working in childcare and adult social care before a career break for her children, the Barnsley mum found herself unable to find work that fitted around her childcare responsibilities while her husband worked night shifts. Despite being on Universal Credit, she received no support and navigated the system alone. We believe that integrating health, skills and employment support creates better outcomes for people. Our holistic approach addresses multiple barriers simultaneously. Improved coordination between services leads to effective support, improving health, skills, employment prospects and job retention. Michelle is acquiring the digital skills to enable her to access a flexible career that balances work with childcare. (Photo courtesy of Barnsley Council) The commission identified ill-health as the biggest barrier to employment. That's why we're pioneering the UK's largest-ever relocation of hospital outpatient services to our town centre. By autumn, Barnsley Hospital will begin transferring services to the Alhambra Shopping Centre, building on our NHS Community Diagnostic Centre that has already welcomed 220,000 appointments and reduced missed appointments by 24 percent. This initiative will generate 250,000 additional annual visits to our newly regenerated town centre, injecting at least £1.5 million into the local economy. Another key barrier is the skills gap, which we're addressing through our new National Centre for Digital Technologies. This facility will equip residents with essential digital skills, helping parents like Michelle access flexible careers that accommodate family responsibilities while supporting our growing tech sector. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Local employers play a key role in providing opportunities for economically inactive people. We're engaging with our top 20 employers in designing services to ensure they meet business needs while creating inclusive practices and reducing workplace stigma. The approach includes community partners engaging with hard-to-reach residents, providing each individual with a dedicated case manager who helps them navigate services, overcome barriers, and build skills. Meanwhile, GPs identify at-risk employees for early support. Every area has its unique history and circumstances. Localised approaches respond better to specific needs. Greater flexibility allows for solutions tailored to local markets through partnerships based on local knowledge and networks. Sir Stephen Houghton: integrating health, skills and employment support creates better outcomes. (Photo courtesy of Barnsley Council.) Last month, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall endorsed our approach for national rollout. Working closely with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, our model aims to get 10,000 economically inactive South Yorkshire residents into work by 2028. The recent elections revealed voter frustration with economic stagnation and immigration policies, but Barnsley demonstrates that real solutions lie in practical innovation, not division. The pendulum must move toward getting Britons back to work rather than assuming labour shortages are best addressed through immigration alone. Raising the UK's labour market participation rate from 78 to 80 per cent would boost the economy by £23 billion annually. We are expecting a four-to-one return on investment for the Treasury from our proof-of-concept project, alongside nearly £30 million in additional economic benefits to the local economy from a £10 million investment. This represents major public service reform that delivers results for individuals, communities and taxpayers alike. Made in Barnsley, this approach could be rolled out nationwide, offering a practical blueprint for getting Britain working again. Related
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Life-saving new jab against world's deadliest cancer could ‘cure' half of all patients and one day eliminate the disease
A NEW vaccine could cure up to half of all pancreatic cancer cases and may one day wipe out the disease entirely, scientists say. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer in the world. Advertisement 2 This vaccine uses nanoparticles to train the body's immune system to find and kill 'bad' cancer cells Credit: Alamy Some 10,500 people are diagnosed with the disease in the UK each year. And only about seven out of 100 of them will survive it for five years or more, according to Cancer Research UK. This is partly because it shows no symptoms until it has already spread to other parts of the body, making it incredibly hard to treat. While surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can help extend life, they rarely offer a cure. Advertisement Now, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic, both in the US, have developed a new type of jab to fight pancreatic cancer. This vaccine uses tiny particles called nanoparticles to train the body's immune system to find and kill 'bad' cancer cells. In early tests with animals and lab models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer, more than half of the treated patients were completely cancer-free months after getting the vaccine. "Pancreatic cancer is super aggressive," said Professor Zheng-Rong (ZR) Lu, a biomedical engineer at Case School of Engineering, who has been working on the jab. Advertisement "So it came as a surprise that our approach works so well." The vaccine also encourages the body to create its own T cells, immune fighters specially trained to attack cancer, while building up 'immune memory' for longer-term protection. Stranger Things actor Mark Withers dies aged 77 after pancreatic cancer battle as tributes paid to 'strength & dignity' Unlike some treatments made just for one person, this vaccine could work for many patients with this type of cancer, the experts said. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not always known, but about one in 10 cases of the disease are thought to be caused by genes that increase a person's risk of developing the cancer. Advertisement The scientists believe the jab could even be used as a preventive for people at high risk of pancreatic cancer, such as those with inherited gene mutations linked to the disease. 2 Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer in the world. Credit: Getty 'We've shown that our vaccine generated immune memory in preclinical models,' said Professor Zheng-Rong. "If we could do that in patients, we could prevent PDAC before tumors start forming, so the vaccines could be either therapeutic or preventative.' Advertisement The researchers hope to move towards human clinical trials, once further safety studies in animal models are completed.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Blocked ears could be 'red flag' symptom of deadly cancer
A doctor has shared the major 'red flags' to watch out for as they could be a sign of cancer A doctor has listed the potential 'red flag' symptoms that could be signs of cancer, including blocked ears. The doctor says there a multiple things to look out for, but many of them often go ignored. Head and neck cancers affect the mouth, throat and nose, with cases becoming more common. Almost 13,000 people in this country are diagnosed with head and neck cancers every year, according to Cancer Research UK, with incidence rates increasing by a third since the 1990s. Some put this down to the rising rates of human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection which can trigger the disease that often shows no symptoms. Leading oncologist Dr Jiri Kubes has shared some of the most common signs in a bid to raise awareness. The doctor, who works at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, said: "Earlier diagnosis is absolutely crucial. The sooner we can identify head and neck cancer, the better the outcome. "It is considered one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the world but there is still a worrying lack of awareness around head and neck tumours." Red flag symptoms to watch out for Persistently blocked ears - Dr Kubes said: "This is a similar feeling to the one you might get after diving into a swimming pool. Stubborn earache also could be a sign there's cancer around that area." Swelling in the neck - Resistance when touching a part of the neck could also be an indicator. Sore gums and ulcers - The expert said: "Don't just shrug off an ulcer - get it checked out by your GP as it could be a cancerous lesion. Pain in your teeth and white or red patches in the mouth are also tell-tale symptoms." Sore throat - "If it lasts for more than two weeks, or if you experience any voice changes or hoarseness, this should ring alarm bells,' said Dr Kubes.
