NHS hospitals are using a new way of testing for bladder cancer that is fast, accurate and convenient for patients, as profiled in The Guardian on 8 June 2026. GALEAS Bladder is enabling NHS hospitals to reduce procedures so cystoscopy can be used where it has greatest value: investigating patients most likely to need direct visual assessment, biopsy or treatment, while safely discharging lower-risk patients with confidence.
Developed with the University of Birmingham and Cancer Research UK, GALEAS Bladder is a non-invasive, at-home urine test that detects DNA changes associated with bladder cancer. In NHS evaluation, it correctly identified whether 92% of patients had bladder cancer or not, with a negative predictive value of 99.3%, making it suitable to be entering service initially as a rule-out test.
Six hospitals have already adopted the test – University Hospitals of Leicester recently became the first NHS trust in England to adopt to deal with rising demand, constrained capacity and patients waiting too long for answers – with several other hospitals due to follow suit by the end of the year.
Jayne Douglas-Moore.
“This is a significant breakthrough in diagnosing bladder cancer, and within this new pathway to date patients have received their results in 16 days after referral, within the NHS 28-day faster diagnosis standard for cancer.” Jayne Douglas-Moore, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Leicester NHS trust
Jeff Bousfield.
“Urologists develop exceptional skill in performing and interpreting cystoscopy, often in complex and challenging circumstances. GALEAS Bladder gives them an additional, highly accurate tool to help prioritise the patients who most need that expertise, and to discharge others safely and sooner.” Jeff Bousfield, CEO, Nonacus
To learn more about adopting GALEAS Bladder in your haematuria pathway, speak to Nonacus at BAUS or visit nonacus.com
