Blood test trend versus single threshold abnormality to discriminate cancer from non-cancer in patients with unexpected weight loss: A retrospective cohort study

Source briefing · A concise briefing based on one linked source. It is intentionally shorter than a full FreedomWitness Evidence Engine analysis.

What the source reports

by Brian D. Nicholson, Clare R. Bankhead, Sufen Zhu, Jason Lee Oke, Cynthia Wright Drakesmith, Rafael Perera, Frederick D. Richard Hobbs, Pradeep S.

Virdee Background Unexpected weight loss (UWL) is a non-specific cancer symptom. Abnormalities in the most recent blood test contribute to cancer referral decisions in primary care. Interpreting historical changes (trends) in blood tests could enhance discrimination for undiagnosed cancer. We aimed to assess the discrimination of blood test trend for undiagnosed cancer and compare this to that of blood…

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Source & verification

Primary source: PLOS Medicine · September 17, 2026

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