Kefah Mokbel, Chair of Breast Cancer Surgery at London Breast Institute and Honorary Professor of Medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine, shared on LinkedIn:
“TrueCheck Liquid Biopsy Identifies Occult Breast Cancer Despite Negative Conventional Imaging: A Case Highlighting the Potential of Circulating Tumour Cell Detection for Early Diagnosis
Last week, I saw a 48-year-old Russian woman who had a TrueCheck blood test in February 2026 as part of a breast cancer screening assessment. The test detected circulating tumour cells (CTCs), prompting further investigation.
Initial mammography and ultrasound showed no suspicious abnormalities. However, subsequent breast MRI identified three enhancing masses in the upper half of the right breast (MR3). A second-look ultrasound and core biopsy of the lesion at the 12 o’clock position (U4, measures 6 mm) confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma.
This case highlights the potential sensitivity of circulating tumour cell detection as an adjunctive tool for the early identification of breast cancer, particularly when conventional imaging is negative.
I had the privilege of contributing as an author to the original publication evaluating CTC detection in breast cancer:
Title: Accurate Screening for Early-Stage Breast Cancer by Detection and Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Timothy Crook, Robert Leonard, Kefah Mokbel, Alastair Thompson, Michael Michell, Raymond Page, Ashok Vaid, Ravi Mehrotra, Anantbhushan Ranade, Sewanti Limaye, Darshana Patil, Dadasaheb Akolkar, Vineet Datta, Pradip Fulmali, Sachin Apurwa, Stefan Schuster, Ajay Srinivasan, Rajan Datar
Read the full article.
However, it is essential that women considering blood-based cancer detection tests receive clear and balanced information regarding their sensitivity, specificity, potential benefits, and limitations. Earlier detection may provide opportunities for less extensive treatment, improved outcomes, and better quality of life. At the same time, the possibility of false-positive results and the associated anxiety must be carefully considered.
Women with a positive test result require appropriate clinical assessment and structured imaging follow-up. In many protocols, those without confirmed malignancy undergo surveillance imaging at regular intervals, often every six months for two years.
The future of breast cancer screening is likely to involve a multimodal approach, integrating imaging, molecular biomarkers, and personalised risk assessment to detect cancers earlier while minimising unnecessary interventions.
You can also read:
Germline Multigene Testing May Identify Higher-Risk Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer
