The world’s largest trial of a ground breaking new cancer screening test in Elephant and Castle has been fully booked following a massive community response.
The “revolutionary” trial is for Galleri, a blood test which can detect more than 50 types of cancer – often before symptoms appear.
Local people received a letter from the NHS inviting them to participate in the trial, while anyone who age 50-77 who hadn’t had a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the last three years could request to join the trial if they are registered at a GP in Elephant and Castle or at a practice elsewhere in the boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham.
Appointments will take place at the mobile clinic that has been operating on the Old Kent Road for two weeks.
Dr Kate Haire, Joint Clinical Chair at South East London Cancer Alliance, said: “It’s fantastic that so many south east Londoners have seized the opportunity to be part of this revolutionary trial, supporting the NHS to detect and fight cancer earlier.”
Dr Vin Diwakar, Medical Director for the NHS in London, added: “We all fear cancer – and early diagnosis even before symptoms even appear gives us the best chance of survival.
“By taking part in this trial, residents in Southwark are the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world.”
All participants will be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples. Stringent infection prevention control measures are followed at all mobile clinics to prevent the spread of Covid-19.