Finding cancer early is incredibly important.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford suggested that proteins found in the blood might serve as indicators for cancer detection several years before diagnosis.
By comparing the proteins in the blood of those who developed cancer with those who did not, the scientists identified 618 proteins associated with 19 different types of cancer.
These cancer types included cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colon, lung, and liver cancer.
Moreover, the study uncovered 107 proteins linked to cancers diagnosed more than seven years after the blood sample was taken.
Finding cancer early is incredibly important. When cancer is detected early, it's typically at a smaller size and has not spread to other parts of the body, making it easier to treat. It can also lead to higher survival rates because many types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, have much higher survival rates when detected early compared to later stages.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford suggested that proteins found in the blood might serve as indicators for cancer detection several years before diagnosis.
The research, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in Nature Communications, analysed blood samples from more than 44,000 individuals. This included over 4,900 who were later diagnosed with cancer.
By comparing the proteins in the blood of those who developed cancer with those who did not, the scientists identified 618 proteins associated with 19 different types of cancer. These cancer types included cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colon, lung, and liver cancer.
Moreover, the study uncovered 107 proteins linked to cancers diagnosed more than seven years after the blood sample was taken. A total of 182 proteins were strongly associated with cancer diagnosis within three years.
A senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford Dr Keren Papier, who is also the joint first author of the study, spoke on the importance of understanding the role of blood proteins in cancer risk.
The author said, “To save more lives from cancer, we need to better understand what happens at the earliest stages of the disease … [and] how the proteins in our blood can affect our risk of cancer. Now we need to study these proteins in depth to see which ones could be reliably used for prevention.”
Related study
Another related study examined genetic data from over 300,000 cancer cases and identified 40 proteins in the blood. However, the researchers noted that altering these proteins might have unintended side effects.
Watch | Sun launches strongest Solar flare of its current 11-year cycle × Commenting on the findings, a professor at Queen’s University Belfast Mark Lawler highlighted the significance of detecting cancer before clinical manifestations. Lawler said, “The data are impressive – finding evidence of cancer before it has manifested itself clinically provides a critical window of opportunity to treat with a greater chance for success, or even more importantly to achieve the holy grail of preventing cancer before it can even occur. More work to be done, but an important step forward in a disease that affects one in two of UK citizens during their lives.”
The studies hold immense value as early detection can improve a person's quality of life by avoiding more aggressive treatments and alleviating the stress that often come with cancer diagnosis.
(With inputs from agencies)
