Thousands of people in Bolton have been thanked for taking part in ground-breaking research to fight cancer.

Thousands of people in Bolton have taken part in the world’s largest trial of a cancer screening blood test

The Bolton community took part in the NHS-Galleri trial, the world's largest trial of a cancer screening blood test.

The revolutionary study was backed by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and a video of it can be watched below.

Bolton was part of the selected Greater Manchester regions, including Oldham, Salford, and Trafford, where mobile clinics have been collecting blood samples for the trial.

(Image: NHS)

Associate director at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, Alison Armstrong said: "Participating in clinical research has the potential to improve the way that cancer is detected, and we are hugely grateful to people in the region who volunteered for this research.

“Community groups including Can Survive-UK, the Caribbean and African Health Network, Winning Hearts and Minds as well as our local council partners and local Healthwatch teams have all helped the trial to reach and retain a very diverse group of participants who reflect the people who live in our area.”

(Image: NHS)

Volunteers ranging from 50 to 77 years old, without a past cancer diagnosis or treatment within the last three years, participated in the study.

Chief investigator for the trial, Professor Richard Neal said: "Volunteers have played their part and we are grateful for their time and commitment.

"But the work of researchers continues with results due to be published in 2026.

"We’ll continue to collect information from the NHS so that researchers can assess whether there are significant differences between the group of participants whose blood was screened with the Galleri test and participants whose blood was not tested.”

The vital backing of eight NHS Cancer Alliances across England, including Greater Manchester, was integral to the successful trial.