Researchers released validation data Wednesday for a blood test that detects lung cancer with 93% accuracy for roughly $60, setting out a path toward larger clinical trials and eventual use in primary care. The test uses a dedicated chip and fluorescence-based detection to identify tumour markers from a routine blood draw.

The assay combines high sensitivity with a fraction of the cost of imaging-based screening. Low-dose CT scanning, the current standard for high-risk patients, remains expensive and underused, with the American Lung Association reporting that only a small share of eligible Americans undergo annual screening.

The research team emphasised that the results must be confirmed in prospective studies across diverse populations before regulatory review. Independent oncologists noted that blood-based screening could expand access in low-resource settings where CT infrastructure is scarce, but cautioned that false positives and overdiagnosis remain concerns for any population-wide test.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, killing about 1.8 million people each year, according to the World Health Organization. Early detection dramatically improves survival, and a cheap, scalable blood test could shift screening from specialist centres to routine general-practice visits if validated.

A thoracic oncologist reviewing the findings said: "A test that costs sixty dollars and works from a standard blood sample could change who gets screened, especially in countries without widespread CT access." The reviewer added that confirmation in large trials was essential before clinical deployment.