Researchers from the United Kingdom have developed a blood-based test for bowel cancer that has 97 percent accuracy, Wales Online reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The test uses nanotechnology and laser-based blood analysis to create a fingerprint specific to blood cancer. Researchers analyze patient samples against the fingerprint to determine if they have bowel cancer.
2. The initial study involved 160 patients from the Swansea area in Wales. Cancer Research Wales funded the study.
3. A clinical trial is set to begin in 2017.
4. If the clinical trial is successful, the test would be used in National Health Service hospitals.
5. NHS awarded the study a Research Excellence award.