NHS blood test detects womb cancer in 48 hours, avoiding invasive exams

Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a blood test that can identify womb cancer in two days by detecting fragments of the disease circulating in a patient's bloodstream. The test, called ECctDNA, works without requiring the invasive physical examinations that have long been standard practice for confirming cancer recurrence. It is currently in use at Leicester Royal Infirmary, and the team behind it expects the test to be available across NHS hospitals by 2028.

Womb cancer, also known as endometrial or uterine cancer, is the fourth most common cancer affecting women in the UK. About 9,700 people are diagnosed each year, according to The Eve Appeal charity. The incidence is climbing: cases have risen by 12 percent over the past decade. The disease begins in the lining of the womb and tends to affect older women, though symptoms can be deceptive. Before menopause, abnormal bleeding or discharge may feel indistinguishable from a heavy period. After menopause, any bleeding is a warning sign.

Dr. Esther Moss, an associate professor of gynaecological oncology at the university, designed the test with a specific problem in mind: patients who feared their cancer had returned but dreaded the physical examinations required to confirm it. "Many patients find speculum and pelvic examination very challenging at the best of times, let alone after cancer surgery," she said. The blood test offers speed and dignity. A diagnosis can come within 48 hours, and it eliminates the need for confirmatory biopsies. Beyond detection, the test can also reveal genetic information about why the cancer is recurring, which could shape future treatment decisions.

The research involved more than 85 women with womb cancer receiving treatment at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The test demonstrated what researchers described as "high diagnostic accuracy" in identifying cancer recurrence. In a study published in Nature, the team noted that a blood test delivering a definitive diagnosis in two days could reshape how the NHS manages cancer follow-up. Current practice relies on clinical examination, imaging, and sometimes surgical or radiological biopsies—all costly and time-consuming. The potential savings, both in resources and patient burden, are substantial.

Gillian Stacey, 80, was among the study participants. She was diagnosed with womb cancer eleven years ago after unexpected bleeding. Her womb was surgically removed, and she underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. Five years later, the cancer returned in her lungs. Over more than a decade of medical care, she has endured numerous invasive examinations. "You go through it and you do what you have to do, but if there's an easier and less traumatic way to diagnose this type of cancer then that would be a wonderful thing," she reflected.

The technique of detecting tumor fragments in blood has already proven useful for other cancers, including breast, bowel, and lung cancer. What makes the ECctDNA test distinctive is its application to womb cancer recurrence—a common concern for survivors. Moss and her team are now working on the validation and quality control measures required for NHS-wide deployment. If the timeline holds, patients across the country could benefit from faster, less invasive recurrence detection within two years.