What does this test offer?
Our TruCheck Bowel Cancer Screening blood test checks your blood sample for Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs), and clusters of the cells which come with Bowel Cancer, also commonly known as Colon Cancer.
New in the UK, this bowel cancer blood test is revolutionising the ability to detect cancer at its earliest stages, and we are proud to be one of the first providers in the country to offer it to the British public.
A non-invasive procedure, this test requires a simple blood test appointment to draw a small sample from a vein in your arm. This sample is then analysed at a leading UK laboratory to detect the existence of any CTCs and therefore to determine whether you have colon cancer currently in your body.
Want to know more about the different types of cancer and its symptoms? Read our 5 minute Health Hub article and learn more about the disease.
How does the test process work?
As soon as you book the test, our UK based Doctor will book an initial pre-consultation telephone call with you, to understand your medical history and reason for the test. Our Doctor will also discuss with you the risks and benefits associated with the test. If for whatever reason, our Doctor feels you are not suitable for the test or you are not willing to proceed, you will be issued a refund.
We will then organise a testing kit to be delivered to you, to take to your clinic appointment at one of our phlebotomy hubs or for use with a mobile phlebotomist in your home, which includes all the required paperwork and equipment to complete your sample.
After your appointment, the blood sample and forms must be sent back to the laboratory for analysis. Results are typically returned within 2-3 weeks (12 working days is stated by the lab from receipt of the sample) and we will organise a follow up call with our Doctor to discuss the results.
Clinical Backing
If you would like to find out more information about TruCheck’s clinical trials, click the link below:
Clinical Trial
Why is this test so revolutionary?
Launched in the UK in late 2022 after rigorous clinical trials, this bowel cancer blood test is brand new to the diagnostic screening industry. It is the only test available publicly to check for Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) from Bowel Cancer, detecting even the tiniest existence of cancer from a small blood sample.
Highly accurate, it not only identifies whether you have CTCs, but also where they originated. This means you know where the primary tumour is located, speeding up diagnosis and treatment, and enabling doctors to focus treatment on the required areas.
What if my results come back as ‘positive’?
A positive result means that CTCs have been found in your blood. This means it is highly likely that you have bowel cancer.
With any positive result, a member of the clinical team will call you personally to discuss your results, what they mean and guide you on your next steps. We have an established patient pathway if you get a positive result.
Does a ‘negative’ result mean that I am ‘totally’ cancer free?
A negative result means that at the time of the test there were no detectable colon cancer cells circulating in your blood. It does not mean that you will never develop cancer. It does not mean that you do not have any type of cancer not covered by the test.
Are there any restrictions on who can take this test?
We have certain clinical requirements that you must fulfil in order to be eligible to take this blood test for bowel cancer detection. You will need to complete an online form when you checkout to confirm these and they will be checked during a pre-assessment call with a medical professional.
To take this test you must:
- Be 40 years of age or older.
- Not have any symptoms of cancer currently. If you have suspected symptoms, you should visit your GP urgently.
- Not have any clinical or radiological suspicion of cancer currently.
- Have not ever been diagnosed with any type of cancer.
- Have not previously had any treatment for any type of cancer.
- Not have a blood transfusion within 72 hours of your blood draw appointment.
How frequently should I take this test?
As this early bowel cancer screening test is non-invasive, there is no disadvantage to frequent testing. However, we advise that this test should be performed every 12 months in the case of each negative result, perhaps as part of an annual complete health check process to test for colon cancer.
What’s the difference between the TruCheck and Galleri Grail test?
Although the fundamental premise of both the Grail and the Trucheck test is to identify the presence of circulating tumour cells in the blood, the technology is quite different. Grail relies on a process where the detection of cells is indirect, where the Trucheck test uses immunocytochemistry to directly detect actual CTCs. Grail, unlike TruCheck, is not available in the UK as a private test and is currently only being conducted as part of an NHS Clinical trial. The supporting medical trial data for Grail has not been as strong in the detection for early-stage cancers in comparison to TruCheck, and so the overall cancer pick-up rate is lower. Parking the accessibility of the tests, Goodbody have assessed both tests extensively and we have found TruCheck to be far more suitable for asymptomatic cancer screening, giving the best possible detection rates for patients.
