Ultrasensitive blood tests can identify whether breast cancer is likely to return YEARS in advance

ULTRA-SENSITIVE blood tests could save lives by identifying whether breast cancer is likely to return years in advance, scientists say.

The biopsy identifies tumor DNA in cells left behind after treatment, which conventional follow-up tests don’t detect because there are so few of them.

Scientists say it is up to 100 times more accurate.

In tests carried out on 78 women recovering from breast cancer, it correctly identified all those who would have a relapse, sounding the alarm up to 41 months earlier.

None of those who tested negative relapsed.

Doctors hope the early warning will ensure at-risk patients receive the treatment they need to destroy harmful cancer cells.

Experts say the findings are significant as about three in 10 women treated for breast cancer have to fight it a second time, when there is usually no cure.

Study author Isaac Garcia-Murillas, from the Institute of Cancer Research London, said: “Ultrasensitive blood tests could offer a better approach to long-term monitoring of patients whose cancer is at high risk of returning.”

Dr Simon Vincent, from the charity Breast Cancer Now, which funded the study, added: “Early detection is one of our biggest weapons against breast cancer.

“Around 11,000 people die every year in the UK from secondary breast cancer, so advances like these are urgently needed.”