Science blog

Blood tests, breath studies and better CT scans could all help detect lung cancers earlier. We investigate the latest research that could inform lung screening.

A ’10 minute cancer test’ is big news today. The science behind the headlines is exciting, but the test is a long way from being used to diagnose cancer.

Researchers are trying to diagnose lung cancer early through screening, and studying if the benefits of early detection outweigh the harms.

In the news this week: cancer survival in England is still lagging behind the best and a second immunotherapy drug is made available for advanced skin cancer on the NHS.

Scientists are turning to crime-mapping tech as a new way to look at cancer.

In the news this week: more NHS patients will receive immunotherapy and we explain why a sugar supplement isn’t a proven cancer treatment just yet.

New research suggests giving a sugar supplement, called mannose, to mice with cancer slows tumour growth.

In the news this week: NHS staff shortages could reach 350,000 by 2030 and an error meant almost 50,000 women weren’t sent cervical screening letters.

We don’t always know why never-smokers develop lung cancer, but the data suggests that genetics play a role, as well as environmental or occupational exposures.