Breath of life: new test could sniff out gut cancers before they spread

NCT ID NCT07714538

First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study is testing a simple breath test to help detect gastrointestinal cancers—including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and bowel—at an earlier stage. The test measures tiny molecules in exhaled breath that may be linked to these cancers. Participants provide a breath sample before a scheduled hospital procedure, and researchers check whether the test can reliably tell who has cancer and who does not.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
a breath test measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
What this could lead to
If successful, this breath test could enable earlier detection of gastrointestinal cancers, potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival.
What could go wrong
This is a validation study; the test may not prove accurate enough for clinical use, and false positives or negatives could occur.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

    London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 8XP, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

    Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9QQ, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

    Glasgow, G12 0XH, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

    London, NW3 2QG, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

    Liverpool, L7 8YA, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

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