7 Years Before Diagnosis – Oxford Scientists Discover Key to Early Cancer Detection

Two studies funded by Cancer Research UK and conducted by Oxford Population Health have identified blood proteins that could potentially alert individuals to the presence of cancer up to seven years before it is diagnosed. Researchers pinpointed 618 proteins associated with 19 different cancer types, including 107 proteins in individuals whose blood samples were collected at least seven years prior to their cancer diagnosis.

The team has discovered that these proteins could be involved at the very earliest stages of cancer, where it could be prevented.

They believe that some of these proteins could be used to detect cancer much earlier than is currently possible. In the future, this could help treat the disease at a much earlier stage or prevent it altogether.