Can early signs of cancer be detected through a simple blood test? The CANDACE study has been approved to recruit eligible participants from the BC Generations Project cohort to assess the usefulness of an experimental new technology.

For many types of cancer, early detection means more treatment options and better outcomes. Most population-based cancer screening methods (e.g. mammography or colonoscopy) only search for a single type of cancer. Other methods that could detect a number of different cancers during a single screening – such as MRI – are too costly and invasive for routine, widespread use.

CANDACE is a clinical study aimed at determining whether it is possible to detect early signs of cancer through a simple blood test. The study will assess the clinical utility of Pathway Genomics’ CancerIntercept^TM Detect test. Based on a technology developed by Boreal Genomics, this experimental test uses blood samples to identify mutations in genes that are associated with the development and progression of cancer.

The CANDACE study has been approved to recruit eligible participants from the BC Generations Project cohort. Project participants who meet the study criteria will be contacted by the BC Generations Project and invited to participate. As always, participation is completely voluntary.

The study aims to recruit 1,000 healthy volunteer participants who have not been diagnosed with cancer in the past. Participants who have a positive test result will be examined further using standard-of-care diagnostic methods (e.g. medical imaging) to confirm whether the blood test has correctly indicated the presence of a cancer.

The CANDACE study is led by the BC Cancer Agency in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Boreal Genomics, the BC Generations Project and Pathway Genomics. For a related study outside the BC area, see https://www.pathway.com/healthy1000/.