"One new gene identified was particularly sensitive to cancer. This gene is called 'colon adenocarcinoma hypermethylated' or CAHM. In 120 blood samples we observed a high positivity for cancers (68 percent) while still being accurate in 97 percent of normal patients. We have also shown that a three gene test including CAHM was able to detect cancer 76% of the time with a 93 percent accuracy in normal patients" Dr Molloy said.

Senior investigator, Professor Graeme Young, from the Flinders Center for Innovation in Cancer at Flinders University in Adelaide, said that, "One of the key questions is how a test like this might complement existing screening efforts in a cost-effective way to save even more lives in the future."

"The need now is to collaborate more broadly with national and international researchers committed to translation of science innovation to clinical outcomes, to help validate these exciting findings in large scale prospective studies," Professor Young said.