A Single Blood Test Could Detect Dozens of Cancers: The Method Is Already in Use in Germany and Poland

A new blood-testing method can detect dozens of different types of cancer at an early stage — not just one specific tumour, but many types of cancer at once. This was announced at a September round table at the Czech Chamber of Deputies by Tomáš Büchler, head of the oncology clinic at Prague's Motol and Bulovka hospitals, who served as the event's scientific coordinator.

"This isn't a revolution. In Germany, Poland and other countries, for example, this method has already been in use for several years, but for Czech oncology and healthcare it could represent a major step forward," Büchler noted. According to him, the technology in question is MCED (Multi-Cancer Early Detection) — a method for early, simultaneous detection of multiple cancer types, which he and his colleagues have been studying for over a year.

"These tests have only a small percentage of so-called false alarms and, conversely, fairly high accuracy and reliability of detection. The method could serve as a useful addition to standard screening, primarily for at-risk groups, within the framework of clinical studies," the specialist explained.

The Main Problem: Late Detection

Despite the high standard of Czech oncology and well-developed screening programmes, according to Büchler, roughly half of all tumours today are still diagnosed at a late stage — meaning that, in many cases, it is already too late.

In Czechia, screening programmes exist for certain at-risk groups — for instance, for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer. However, many tumours are only discovered once clinical symptoms have already appeared, at which point the chances of recovery drop sharply. This is particularly true for pancreatic cancer.

"We're not talking about a 'miracle test'. But we want to shift the point at which we first learn about a tumour to before symptoms even appear," said Tom Philipp (KDU-ČSL), deputy chair of the parliamentary health committee, who organised the round table.

MCED technology works in various ways: some methods analyse fragments of tumour DNA and its genetic or epigenetic changes, such as alterations in DNA methylation; others examine RNA, protein biomarkers, or the pattern of cell-free DNA fragments, and search for circulating tumour cells that have entered the bloodstream. In some cases, it is possible to identify not only the presence of a tumour signal but also the likely organ of origin.

A Complement to Existing Screening

According to biostatistician Ondřej Májek, scientific director of the National Screening Centre at the Institute of Health Information and Statistics, the new tests could also help with cancers for which nationwide screening already exists.

"For example, in colorectal cancer screening (a stool blood test followed by a colonoscopy for people aged 45 to 74), only 30–40% of eligible people actually participate. If a simple blood test could be used instead, participation could increase dramatically," he noted.

MCED tests could also help detect lung cancer. Free nationwide screening for this disease currently applies only to people aged 55–74 who are, or until less than fifteen years ago were, heavy smokers — meaning they smoke or smoked at least twenty pack-years (for example, one pack a day for twenty years). However, lung cancer often affects other people as well. "Screening can miss them entirely," Májek stressed.

Tests Are Already Available — But Not Free

It is already possible to take an MCED test in Czechia, which searches the blood for traces of cancer, such as circulating tumour DNA — the test is offered by some private clinics. However, it is not yet covered by mandatory health insurance, so patients must pay out of pocket. Prices vary, but such a test typically costs around 20,000 crowns.

"A scientific consensus needs to be reached first, and only then can we consider having insurance companies start covering such tests for early cancer detection — for example, for elderly patients in at-risk groups," Tom Philipp noted.

Source: denik.cz