New blood test could detect cancers before they become deadly

The lives of millions of people around the world could be saved with a new blood test that can detect eight common cancers before they become deadly.

Undated artist impression of a neutrophil attacking a cancer cell Source: AAP

The liquid biopsy -  developed by US and Australian scientists - could be avaliable within the next few years.

It comes as new figures show an increase in lung cancer deaths - the result of an increase in women smoking in the 1970s.