This test can reduce lung cancer deaths

A groundbreaking study from the University of St Andrews School of Medicine has shown that biomarker testing in individuals at high risk for lung cancer can lead to significantly lower death rates.

The research, involving 12,000 smokers and ex-smokers, highlights the potential of this early detection method to save lives by identifying lung cancer earlier and enabling more effective treatment.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide, responsible for approximately 1.76 million deaths annually. While treatments for lung cancer have improved, they are often ineffective when the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage. This makes early detection critical for improving survival rates.

Biomarkers, measurable substances in blood or urine, can reveal early changes in the body that indicate disease, such as cancer, even before symptoms appear. Known as a “liquid biopsy,” this non-invasive technique uses these biological signals to identify individuals at higher risk or detect early stages of disease.

By focusing on those most likely to develop lung cancer, biomarker testing can target at-risk individuals for timely screening and intervention.

Led by Professor Frank Sullivan and a team of researchers from the NHS and universities in Dundee, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Nottingham, the study explored how biomarker testing could improve outcomes for high-risk individuals.

Published in PLOS ONE, the study followed 12,000 smokers and ex-smokers over five years. It found that biomarker-based testing reduced deaths from lung cancer and other causes by 40%.

The results highlight the life-saving potential of this approach. By identifying high-risk individuals and diagnosing cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, biomarker testing can bridge a critical gap in current healthcare systems, where many cases are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

Professor Sullivan emphasized the importance of early detection. “This study shows that earlier diagnosis of lung cancer is now possible,” he said. “That is good news because, if caught early enough, the improved treatments now available have a much higher chance of success.”

The researchers are optimistic that this targeted approach could enhance existing lung cancer screening programs, which are being implemented in several countries.

Traditional screening methods, such as imaging, often detect cancer at later stages or may not be as efficient in identifying those most at risk. Biomarker testing could ensure that resources are directed toward individuals who are most likely to benefit from early detection.

The study’s findings could have far-reaching implications for public health. With lung cancer claiming millions of lives each year, strategies that enable earlier diagnosis and treatment have the potential to significantly reduce premature deaths on a global scale.

The researchers also believe this approach could help optimize the efficiency of healthcare systems by focusing resources on those most at risk.

This pioneering research underscores the transformative potential of biomarker testing in lung cancer care. By integrating this method into screening programs, healthcare providers could dramatically improve outcomes for patients, offering them a better chance of survival and a higher quality of life.

Future research will likely explore how to refine and expand the use of biomarkers to combat lung cancer and other diseases more effectively.

If you care about cancer, please read studies about common drugs for inflammation may help kill cancer, and statin drugs can starve cancer cells to death.

For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about these two things are key to surviving cancer and results showing common Indian fruit may slow down cancer growth.

The research findings can be found in PLOS ONE.