Kingswinford

Researchers are investigating the Avantect test, a new blood test designed to detect pancreatic cancer early in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal, often detected too late for curative treatment. The study focuses on adults aged 50 to 84 years who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past six months, as this group has a significantly higher risk of undiagnosed pancreatic cancer. The trial aims to evaluate if the Avantect test can identify pancreatic cancer at a treatable stage, potentially improving survival rates. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Those in the intervention arm will have their blood samples tested with the Avantect device soon after collection. If the test detects biomarkers suggesting pancreatic cancer, participants will be informed and offered imaging scans such as MRI or CT to confirm diagnosis. Control group samples will be stored for future testing or research. The study will enroll up to 15,000 participants over three years. Each participant will attend three study visits over a 12-month period, providing blood samples and completing anxiety questionnaires at every visit. Researchers will follow all participants remotely via cancer and mortality registries for three years after enrollment to track any cancer diagnoses. The main outcomes measured include the sensitivity and specificity of the Avantect test and the rate at which pancreatic cancer can be surgically removed, with analyses planned at six months and at three years.