Trucheck™ Intelli: What You Need to Know About This Multi-Cancer Blood Test
Early detection of cancer remains one of the most important challenges in modern medicine. Alongside established screening programmes, new technologies are being developed to look for early biological signals of cancer. One such test is Trucheck™ Intelli.
What is Trucheck™ Intelli?
Trucheck™ Intelli is a blood test that looks for circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the bloodstream. CTCs are cells that may be shed into the blood from certain solid organ cancers.
The test is designed as a multi-cancer screening tool for people who are:
Aged 40 years and over, or over 35 years with a strong family history,
Well and without symptoms highly suggestive of cancer (these should be investigated under the urgent suspected cancer pathways).
Without a previous history of cancer
It is not a diagnostic test and does not confirm or exclude cancer on its own. If cells are found further investigations to confirm will be required.
What cancers does it look for?
Trucheck™ Intelli is designed to detect CTCs associated with a wide range of 70 solid organ cancers, including markers linked to some (Appendix 1 has full list):
Bowel (colon and rectal) cancers
Prostate cancer
Breast, lung, pancreas, liver, stomach and oesophageal cancers
Gynaecological cancers (ovary, cervix, uterus)
Kidney and bladder cancers
Certain neuroendocrine and rare tumour types
Importantly, Trucheck™ Intelli cannot detect blood cancers (such as leukaemia) or lymphatic cancers (lymphoma).
What are the possible results?
1. Circulating tumour cells detected
This result suggests a higher risk that a cancer signal may be present, but:
It is NOT a diagnosis of cancer
The organ of origin may or may not be identified
Further standard diagnostic tests are always required
A Whole body MRI is recommended – at present Datar Cancer Genetics will be subsidise this by upto £1000 for access to the results for research.
Anyone with this result should discuss it with a qualified healthcare professional to decide on appropriate next steps, which may include imaging, referral, or close follow-up.
2. Circulating tumour cells not detected
This suggests a lower risk, but it is important to understand that:
A negative result does not completely rule out cancer
Some cancers may not shed detectable cells into the bloodstream
The test sensitivity is approximately 88–90%, meaning around 1 in 10 cancers may not be detected
For this reason, the test is often discussed as something that may be repeated annually, alongside routine health care.
3. Indeterminate (not able to confirm positive or negative).
For these results a free test will be provided 3 months later.
What Trucheck™ Intelli cannot do
It is important to be clear about the limitations:
It is not a diagnostic test
A positive result does not mean you have cancer
A negative result does not guarantee cancer is absent
It does not replace NHS screening programmes, such as:
Mammography
Cervical screening
FIT testing or colonoscopy
It should not be used in people with symptoms highly suspicious of cancer – urgent specific screening should be used.
It should not be used in people who have previously had cancer, even if treated
What happens if the test is positive but scans are normal?
In a small number of people (around 1 in 200 in the general population), Trucheck™ Intelli may be positive but subsequent investigations show no visible cancer.
In these cases, your clinician may recommend:
Careful clinical follow-up
Repeat blood testing over time
Monitoring trends in circulating tumour markers
This uncertainty is an important consideration, and anyone choosing the test should be prepared for the possibility of ongoing monitoring rather than immediate answers.
Is Trucheck™ Intelli right for everyone?
No. Trucheck™ Intelli is not suitable for everyone and should only be considered after a medical consultation.
A clinician will help assess:
Your personal and family history
Your current health and symptoms
Whether the test is appropriate or whether standard investigations are more suitable
Key take-home points
Trucheck™ Intelli is a screening blood test, not a diagnostic test
It looks for circulating tumour cells linked to some solid organ cancers
Results must always be interpreted by a clinician
It does not replace established screening or investigations
Informed discussion before testing is essential
Final word
New technologies such as Trucheck™ Intelli are part of a growing area of cancer research, but they work best when used carefully, transparently, and alongside standard medical care. If you are considering this test, a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is essential to understand both its potential value and its limitations. At Shropshire Health if you book a Trucheck appointment and after counselling you decide not to take the test £1100 will be refunded.
Appendix 1:
What is tested for:
Adenocarcinoma (AD): Bile Duct, Breast, Colon, Duodenum, Esophagogastric Junction, Esophagus, Gall Bladder, Ileum, Jejunum, Liver, Lung, Ovary, Pancreas, Prostate, Rectum, Stomach, Thyroid, Uterus, Salivary Duct, Kidney, Cervix;
Adenosquamous Carcinoma: Esophagus, Gall Bladder, Lung, Cervix;
CNS Malignancies: Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Oligodendroglioma;
Gastro-Intestinal Stromal tumors (GIST): Colon, Duodenum, Ileum, Jejunum, Rectum, Stomach; Melanomas: Cutaneous, Mucosal;
Mesothelioma: Pleural, Peritoneal;
Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET): Adrenal, Colon, Duodenum, Esophagus, Ileum, Jejunum, Lung, Pancreas, Prostate, Rectum, Thymus, Appendix;
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Anorectum, Buccal Mucosa, Cervix, Esophagus, Hard Palate, Larynx, Lip, Lung, Oral Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses, Penis, Pharynx, Pyriform Fossa, Retromolar Trigone, Skin, Soft palate, Tongue, Tonsil, Vulva, Vagina;
Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC): Urinary Bladder, Renal Pelvis, Ureter.
