£300 blood test to find breast cancer early

The simple test, which could be available in Harley Street within months, is said to be more accurate than conventional X-rays.

The test works by detecting chemical changes in the blood thought to be triggered by the presence of early cancer cells. It will be offered at the London Clinic and the London Breast Clinic.

Sales manager Jo Purvis, 38, of Chelsea, plans to have the test. She said: "After two colleagues were diagnosed last year I started getting very anxious about being checked. I have started paying for mammograms and ultrasound scans but I am first on the list for a blood test. It is about peace of mind."

The test, developed in Sweden, is the first of its kind and preliminary trials have been promising. It will cost up to £300. The clinics will send the blood samples to a Norwegian facility to be analysed.

Dr James Mackay is a leading genetic oncologist and medical director of Opaldia, a healthcare firm planning to distribute the test.

He said: "There are hundreds of thousands of younger women at risk of breast cancer but the NHS is patchy at making sure they are scanned.

"They also have denser breasts which makes it more difficult to detect the chalky flecks that signal cancer. This test could be a breakthrough."

Younger women tend to develop more aggressive tumours.

Simon Marsh, consultant breast surgeon at The London Breast Clinic, said: "The test is a potentially exciting step in improving early diagnosis for women. It is likely to be of most use to younger women and those at higher risk
of developing breast cancer."

Malcolm Miller, chief executive of the London Clinic, added: "Early detection of breast cancer means better prognosis."

Surgeon Professor Kefak Mobel said the test was still in its early stages and bigger trials were needed.