Multi cancer detection tests or MCDs can detect many cancers through a simple blood test. Many detect fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off a tumour and are circulating in the blood. They can often then identify where the cancer may be.
The NHS is currently involved in the words largest trial of one such test. The Galleri test is made by US firm Grail and the company says its mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured. Heavyweight investors include Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.More than 140,000 volunteers took part in the trial and the results will be known next year. If successful, the test may be rolled out further. File on 4 Investigates looks at how effective such tests are and whether the trial will show it can save lives.Medical journalist Deb Cohen speaks to one woman whose cancer was found by the test and successfully treated. But she also hears from firefighters in America - where it's available to the public - who say it missed some cancers and some people who got a positive result were found not to have the disease after undergoing diagnostic procedures - a so called false positive.With many hospitals trusts missing cancer treatment targets, what is the best way forward for the NHS to improve outcomes.Reporter: Deb Cohen
Producer: Paul Grant
Technical producer: Craig Boardman
Production co-ordinator: Tim Fernley
Editor: Tara McDermott
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Folge vom 25.11.2025Multi-Cancer Testing - Hype or Hope?
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Folge vom 11.11.2025The IT bug that's caused chaos in the courtsAn ambitious plan to digitalize the courts was meant to remove the need for hundreds of thousands of paper documents. But File on 4 Investigates has discovered an IT system, introduced as part of a £1bn project, has been plagued with technical faults - causing crucial information to go missing, be overwritten, or appear lost. The government body that runs the courts in England and Wales has now checked hundreds of thousands of benefit and child support appeals to identify if any were affected by missing evidence. But sources say the IT bug was known about for years before action was taken.Original journalism by Alys Harte. Reporter: Datshiane Navanayagam. Producers: Lorna Acquah, Fergus Hewison. Editor: Tara McDermott. Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards. Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley.
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Folge vom 04.11.2025Chemsex: Hidden Pleasures, Hidden HarmsFile on Four explores the risks some gay men are taking by habitually mixing their sex lives with drug use. The practice, known as Chemsex has been on the gay scene for more than a decade. It involves taking illegal and addictive substances like Crystal Meth and GHB. While the programme hears from some who say they can manage their use and it heightens their sexual pleasure, others are falling into destructive patterns of addiction, decline and even death. Reporter Mobeen Azhar tries to assess the scale of the problem and hears from medical professionals who fear it could be a crisis that’s going under the radar. Presenter: Mobeen Azhar Producer: Alex Collins Sound: Nicky Edwards Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Nick Holland
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Folge vom 28.10.2025High Stakes: Gambling in the armed forcesFile on 4 Investigates examines the scale of problem gambling in the armed forces and the devastating impact on those serving, veterans and their families. A new study seen exclusively by the team reveals nearly half of naval trainees who gambled were at risk of harm. This latest research builds on a growing body of evidence that points to a hidden problem across the forces that’s on the rise. We ask if the MOD is aware of the challenge and if it’s doing enough to help those in need.Reporter: Alastair Fee Producers: Jim Booth Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott