An experimental blood test detects early-stage breast cancer with a 95 percent accuracy rate in tumors measuring less than two centimeters, according to a study published on Wednesday in Nature.
The international research team, led by scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, developed the diagnostic method to identify tiny traces of cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream. The method analyzes chemical markers that reflect tumor behavior, offering a new approach for early detection and follow-up medical care.
“Early detection of breast cancer saves lives,” said Dr. Efrat Shema of the Weizmann Institute in a statement reported by Jewish Link. Shema said that routine mammograms reduce the risk of dying from the disease by 22 percent, but dense breast tissue can cause tumors to go unnoticed. The new blood test demonstrated high diagnostic performance regardless of breast tissue density.
Researchers mapped the epigenetics of mammary tumors, identifying molecular switches that control gene behavior. This process revealed a distinct group of aggressive cells hiding among less dangerous cancer cells. These cells can survive standard treatments and drive cancer recurrence.
To study these markers directly from patient tissue, speed was essential because epigenetic marks begin to degrade shortly after surgical removal.
“We recruited 12 women who had scheduled surgical removal of their tumors,” said Dr. Noa Furth of the Weizmann laboratory, in remarks reported by Jewish Link. Furth explained that medical staff notified her at the start of each procedure so she could rapidly transport the tissue sample on ice from the hospital to the laboratory for analysis on the same day.
After mapping primary tumor profiles, the research team targeted nucleosomes—microscopic structures where DNA wraps tightly around proteins, which cells release upon breaking down. By detecting specific markers linked to aggressive cell groups, the blood test predicted cancer recurrence with an 81 percent accuracy rate. The findings could help physicians identify patients at elevated risk and select more appropriate treatment plans.
The study involved collaboration with the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, the Sheba Medical Center, and scientific teams from France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.3 million women received a breast cancer diagnosis worldwide in 2022, resulting in 670,000 deaths. In Israel, the Israel Cancer Association reports that roughly 4,500 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis each year, with about 900 dying from the illness.
The test analyzes chemical markers and nucleosomes released into the blood by dying cells, reflecting the specific behavior and epigenetic state of the tumor.
The blood test demonstrated consistent diagnostic efficacy across different types of breast cancer and showed high performance regardless of breast tissue density.
The study was led by researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with contributions from the Kaplan Medical Center, the Sheba Medical Center, and international institutions in France, Germany, Italy, and the United States.
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