St Andrews University study shows 40% drop in lung cancer deaths where biomarker testing used
The research also involved the universities of Dundee, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Nottingham and the NHS
Last updated 9th Jan 2025
A St Andrews University lung cancer study shows a 40% drop in deaths where biomarker testing was used.
The research, involving 12,000 smokers and non-smokers, demonstrated how measurable indicators of biological changes, like proteins or blood in urine, lead to earlier detection.
It found testing high-risk individuals with biomarkers led to a 40% reduction in deaths from lung cancer and other causes over five years.
St Andrews University along with colleagues from the NHS and the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Nottingham were all involved in the ground-breaking work.
Dr. Frank Sullivan, Professor of Primary Care Medicine at the University of St Andrews School of Medicine, said: “This study, along with others using imaging techniques, shows that earlier diagnosis of lung cancer is now possible.
“That is good news because, if caught early enough, the improved treatments now available have a much higher chance of success.”
Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers globally, with an estimated 2 million new cases and 1.76 million deaths each year.
While effective treatments exist, they often come too late because the disease is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage.
By using biomarkers to identify high-risk individuals or detect early signs of lung cancer, this approach could help save lives by enabling earlier, more effective treatment.