A nascent research by scientists claims to have developed an uncomplicated blood test that will be able to detect breast cancer in women.

At present normal breast screening is undertaken by employing X-ray mammograms. These are capable of detecting a tumor only when it is large. Mostly by the time the tumor is detected it has already started to spread beyond breasts.

However, scientists maintain that this test can detect cancer when it is the size of a small seed and much before the woman starts showing any symptoms of the disease.

The test has been developed by the scientists in collaboration with the Norwegian company Diagenic ASA.

The test is designed to detect increased levels of chemical "markers" for cancer. These markers are picked up as blood flows through tumor.

It has been reported that so far, the test has proved 75% effective in detecting early cancer in a series of small trials.

Dr James Mackay, an oncologist and researcher at University College London, "This test will be particularly useful for younger women who are at risk of developing breast cancer”.

Efforts are being made to launch the tests for private patients.