Urine test detects 92% of bladder cancers
A new at-home urine test trialled by the NHS can identify 92% of bladder cancer cases, potentially reducing the need for invasive cystoscopies for
An at-home urine test being trialled by the NHS can detect more than nine in ten bladder cancers. The test, which looks for cancer DNA in urine, could help prioritise patients for urgent invasive procedures.
Latest findings from a study of nearly 1,000 patients at seven hospitals in England and Scotland show the test identified 92% of bladder cancer cases. A negative result meant there was more than a 99% chance the patient did not have the disease. The research was led by the University of Birmingham and diagnostics company Nonacus, and published in European Urology Oncology.
Reducing invasive procedures
Researchers hope the test will cut the number of patients needing urgent cystoscopies. This invasive procedure involves inserting a small camera into the bladder. Over 300,000 cystoscopies are performed in the UK each year, with significant waiting lists in some areas.
The urine test is not a replacement for cystoscopies. Instead, it could help doctors identify patients at greater risk who should be prioritised for urgent investigation. If a larger trial is successful, it could spare tens of thousands of patients a year from these tests.
How the test works
The test, called Galeas, checks for genetic material shed into urine by bladder cancer. It was originally developed by the University of Birmingham with funding from Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The test looks for more than 450 DNA mutations linked to bladder cancer across 23 genes.
Professor Richard Bryan, a study co-author from Birmingham University, said it was exciting to see "very promising early performance" in a large real-world patient population after years of development. Under a licensing agreement, the test has been commercialised by Nonacus, which pays back part of the revenue to the University and CRUK.
The need for faster diagnosis
Michelle Mitchell from CRUK highlighted the urgency for better diagnostic tools. "Too many people are waiting longer than they should for a bladder cancer diagnosis, and it's essential that we find ways to tackle this problem," she said. She noted the test is in early stages and further research is needed, but finding faster, less invasive ways to diagnose or rule out cancer is vital.
Bladder cancer is more common in men over 60, with the main symptom being blood in urine. The seriousness of the cancer depends on its size and whether it has spread. Early detection and treatment save lives.
