Recipient organisationNIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre
NIHR supportRecorded as supported by this research centre
PeriodFeb 2025 — Ongoing
In plain English
AI plain-English summary
Every year, more than 44,000 people in the UK die from cancers of the gut—including the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and bowel—because these cancers are notoriously hard to spot early. Their symptoms mimic common, non-cancerous conditions, so diagnosis often comes too late. This project aims to change that with a simple breath test that a GP can offer during a routine appointment. The test works by capturing small molecules in a patient’s breath—chemical clues that signal the presence of early-stage gastrointestinal cancer. The researchers have already identified candidate molecules and now plan to confirm their accuracy by testing at least 8,000 patients referred on suspected cancer pathways. Patients will breathe into a bag, the sample will be collected in special tubes, and analysed in a lab using mass spectrometry. The team will also study how to roll the test out in primary care and assess its cost. If the breath test proves reliable, it could transform how gut cancers are caught. Instead of waiting for symptoms to escalate, GPs could quickly identify who needs urgent investigation—and spare those without cancer unnecessary, invasive procedures. Earlier detection would dramatically improve survival rates for some of the UK’s deadliest cancers.
View original technical description
Each year in the United Kingdom there are over 44,000 deaths related to gastrointestinal (gut) cancers that include oesophageal (food pipe), stomach, pancreas, liver and bowel cancers. These cancers are difficult to detect as the symptoms are similar to non-cancer conditions If diagnosed early, the majority of people can survive gastrointestinal cancer. Our proposed solution is a simple breath test for patients with relevant symptoms. Breath testing is quick, acceptable and can be offered directly by a GP. The breath samples are analysed for small molecules. These molecules provide early indicators of gastrointestinal cancer, to identify those who would benefit most from investigations. Picking up these cancers earlier will increase our chances of curing the disease.AimsWe have previously identified breath molecules that are specific to gastrointestinal cancers. We aim to confirm these molecules and examine the accuracy of the breath test. We will also study how to introduce the test in primary care. Design and Methods Breath testing will be performed on at least 8,000 patients referred by GPs on suspected gastrointestinal cancer pathways. Patients will be followed up to determine whether they have gastrointestinal cancer or not.The breath test will take place in national NHS hospitals before patients undergo camera tests or scans. The breath test involves them breathing out into a bag allowing the breath to be collected into special tubes. The breath samples in the tubes will be analysed in our laboratory using a special technique (mass spectrometry). We will confirm which molecules in patients’ breath samples correctly identify cancer.We will engage with key members to implement the breath test in primary care and NHS and assess the affordability of the breath test.
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know