The UK government announced an NHS blood test trial on November 4, 2026, to help doctors spot abdominal cancers earlier. The study in England’s National Health Service will assess who needs further checks, the health department said.
A positive blood test would not confirm cancer, the department said. Instead, it would help a family doctor and patient decide whether an urgent referral is needed.
Who can join the NHS blood test trial
The University of Birmingham said it will run STRIDE-RCT for patients with symptoms in the abdomen, or belly. For example, patients may have persistent bloating or discomfort. This is a trial for people seeking care with symptoms.
The university set out the planned scale and eligibility below. It said the Office for Life Sciences will fund the study through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
| Trial measure | Planned scope |
|---|---|
| Participants | More than 20,000 |
| GP practices in England | At least 200 |
| Patient age | 45 and over |
| Government funding | Up to £8.49 million |
Source: University of Birmingham
Data as of: 2026-11-04
The trial will assess blood tests in patients with abdominal symptoms.
Several tests, one clinical question
According to Birmingham, most tests will require one or two tubes of blood, taken alongside routine tests at a family doctor’s practice. They will look for signals linked to several cancers. They will also suggest where those signals come from.
For example, the university said the methods include artificial intelligence and measuring proteins in blood. The cancers covered include bowel, pancreatic, stomach, liver, ovarian and prostate cancer, among others.
Birmingham described the study as a platform trial assessing several blood tests. Its project record calls STRIDE-RCT a cluster platform trial. However, the launch announcements describe planned research. They do not report peer-reviewed findings showing that the tests work.
Evidence before a wider rollout
Before a wider rollout, the NHS blood test trial will assess tests alongside doctors’ judgment, the health department said. Its announcement does not show how well the tests detect cancer or whether they reduce deaths.
Birmingham’s project record lists a study period from November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2031. The government said the trial will include inner-city, rural, coastal and deprived communities.
Sources: University of Birmingham announcement, University of Birmingham project record, UK government
