More than 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the UK annually, making it the most common canceramong men and the second most prevalent overall, according to Cancer Research UK. However, the current prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test used for detection is notoriously unreliable and lacks the precisionrequired for a screening programme.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge are now developing a potentially revolutionaryblood test that could accurately determine the presence of prostate cancer, its aggressiveness, and whether treatment is necessary.

The innovative test identifies cellular debris released by tumours, known as DNA methylation markers. Until now, scientists have been unable to search for these markers due to their extremely small quantities.

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This novel test will simultaneously look for multiple signals, enabling doctors to determine if cancer is present and assess its potential severity, according to the Telegraph.

Men who have previously undergone the PSA test may also be able to utilise this new blood test for answers if their levels were high, without needing to endure biopsy procedures.

The existing PSA test can sometimes produce false positives or detect slow-growing cancers that don't impact a person's life expectancy or health. These results can cause significant stress and lead to unnecessary tests for confirmation.

Furthermore, the test has been known to overlook aggressive forms of cancer. This unreliability is precisely why the NHS has been unable to introduce a widespread screening programme.

Researchers at Cambridge are currently evaluating the precision of this new blood test by analysing samples collected from more than 1,000 men across Europe and Africa.

These samples were provided to scientists up to three decades ago, and the team is now conducting follow-up investigations to determine whether the donors subsequently developed cancer.

The research team intends to launch clinical trials within the next two years. Initially, they will be examining at what stage in the screening pathway the blood test would be most effectively deployed.

Dr Harveer Dev from the university's Early Cancer Institute, who is leading the research, explained: "We don't have the right combination of tests in order to be able to deliver for patients in the right way [at the moment]. Although we're still in the development phase [of the new blood test], we're getting really promising results."

Dr Naomi Elster, director of research at Prostate Cancer Research, which is backing the study, commented: "While many lives have been saved through picking up cancers with our current methods, there absolutely is space for even more accurate tools.

"Dr Dev is working on a very clever new test, which can pick up changes in whether some genes have been switched on or switched off. This not only tells us if the cancer is there. It could also tell us how dangerous the cancer is – vital information to make sure it is treated in the right way."

Men with symptomsof prostate cancer, such as changes to the way they pee or blood in their urine, can request PSA tests from their GP.