Scientists take first steps towards urine test for cancer

The number of people with liver cancer is expected to rise and new tools to detect and treat it earlier are needed

Liver cancer rates are higher in Scotland than the UK average (PA)

Scientists have discovered a metabolite never found in mammals before which could pave the way for a urine test to detect a type of liver cancer for the first time.

Currently there is no definitive urine test used to diagnose any form of cancer, with most patients being diagnosed through surgery, ultrasound scans or blood tests which usually requires a trip to a hospital or doctor’s surgery.