Health

Groundbreaking test identifies cancer, a year before tumor formation

This screening method has been shown to detect all types of cancer early, from a simple blood test, even before tumors have formed.

Published

3 years ago

May 6, 2023

OhiBaba

449 Views

A Mumbai-based biotech firm, Epigeneres, and Singapore-based diagnostic company Tzar Labs have co-developed a new blood test called HrC, which can detect specific markers showing changes in stem cells’ behavior before cancer mutations occur. This new biopsy technique is a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer, as it can identify cancer up to a year before tumors have formed.

The trial of 1,000 patients proved 100% accurate, identifying cancer types and the stage of cancer once it had developed, including in the control group, who were thought to be cancer-free. The blood test is designed to detect specific markers that are precursors to cancer mutations.

Leading universities and hospitals across the UK, including Imperial College, Manchester University, and Cardiff University, are planning to replicate the findings with “proof of concept” trials. St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, is also set to conduct a larger study.

Dr. Sherif Raouf, a consultant gastrointestinal cancer specialist at St Barts, said: “Picking up cancer at the earliest stage is the holy grail of cancer medicine. To have one blood test to detect the presence of cancer at the earliest stage – or even before it develops – could save many lives. This could be a game-changer.”

According to Ashish Tripathi, CEO of Tzar Labs, this screening method has been shown to detect all types of cancer early, from a simple blood test, even before tumors have formed. It is the first prognostic or predictive test for cancer in the world.

Health

WHO Declares Emergency As Ebola Kills 88 In Congo

Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash, and bleeding.

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

OCHEFA

39 Views

• Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”.

The outbreak, originating in eastern DRC’s Ituri province, which has seen around 246 suspected cases, involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

The variant has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Health authorities said the outbreak poses a high regional risk because infections have already been detected in Uganda, and cases linked to the outbreak have reached Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and killed 88 people.

The WHO, however, stopped short of declaring a pandemic, saying it did not meet the necessary criteria.

The United Nations agency advised countries against closing borders or restricting trade.

Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash, and bleeding.

Health

National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026

Published

5 days ago

May 14, 2026

Charles Flames

71 Views

Benue: 195,305

⁠Akwa Ibom: 158,201
⁠Lagos: 135,918
⁠Rivers: 90,055
⁠Nasarawa: 65,996
⁠FCT: 62,627
⁠Kaduna: 58,576
⁠Cross River: 57,765
⁠Enugu: 55,478
⁠Delta: 52,475
⁠Taraba: 51,840
⁠Abia: 50,038
⁠Imo: 47,863
⁠Plateau: 46,618
⁠Anambra: 46,602
⁠Adamawa: 42,074
⁠Kano: 41,093
⁠Kogi: 37,301
⁠Oyo: 33,133
⁠Niger: 33,057
⁠Ogun: 31,822
⁠Bauchi: 29,745
⁠Edo: 29,256
⁠Gombe: 28,037
⁠Osun: 25,018
⁠Borno: 24,527
⁠Ondo: 22,455
⁠Kebbi: 20,803
⁠Bayelsa: 19,549
⁠Katsina: 18,682
⁠Ebonyi: 15,474
⁠Kwara: 14,997
⁠Jigawa: 14,302
⁠Zamfara: 13,813
⁠Ekiti: 12,356
⁠Yobe: 10,716
⁠Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m

Health

FG to Launch Mega Agro-Industrial Livestock HUB in Abuja

Published

1 week ago

May 12, 2026

Charles Flames

77 Views

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.

The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.

Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.

The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.

He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.