Key facts
- Researchers are developing a new blood test in Hong Kong to detect cancer earlier and potentially avoid invasive biopsies.
- Guardant Health has launched its Shield™ multi-cancer detection (MCD) test in Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines.
- The Shield MCD test screens for 10 common cancers, including bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, and lung cancer.
- Eligible Manulife customers in these Asian markets will gain access to the Shield MCD test starting in April 2026.
- The LUCENCE INSIGHT™ test, available in Hong Kong, screens for eight high-risk cancers using next-generation sequencing technology.
Researchers in Hong Kong are advancing cancer detection with new blood tests, aiming to reduce the need for invasive procedures like biopsies. Peter Wan Ying-keung, a retired businessman, shared his experience of a three-month diagnostic journey involving an uncomfortable biopsy for prostate cancer, highlighting the need for less invasive methods.
Guardant Health, a precision oncology company, has launched its Shield™ multi-cancer detection (MCD) test in several Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines. This methylation-based blood test is designed for individuals aged 45 and older and screens for 10 common cancers such as bladder, colorectal, breast, prostate, and lung cancer. The launch is facilitated by a partnership with Manulife, an insurance provider, which will offer the test to eligible customers starting in April 2026.
AmirAli Talasaz, co-CEO of Guardant Health, stated that the Shield technology has the potential to significantly increase cancer screening participation in Asia by detecting multiple cancers early with a simple blood draw. Cancer is a leading cause of death in the region, and early detection is crucial for survivorship.
In Hong Kong, the LUCENCE INSIGHT™ cancer screening test has also been introduced by the Hong Kong United Oncology Centre. This test utilizes next-generation sequencing technology to simultaneously screen for eight high-risk cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer, with high sensitivity and specificity, and can predict the tumor's origin with up to 90% accuracy.
These developments signal a significant shift towards less invasive and more accessible cancer screening methods, potentially improving early detection rates and patient outcomes in Hong Kong and across Asia.