Can supermarket loyalty card data help detect cancer?

Yes, researchers believe that subtle shifts in shopping habits, tracked through loyalty card data, can help flag potential signs of ten different types of cancer earlier than traditional diagnosis.

Which cancer types is the study focusing on?

The Cancer Loyalty Card Study 2 is investigating ten specific cancer types: bladder, colorectal (bowel), endometrial, liver, oesophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, stomach (gastric), uterine, and vulval.

Who is collaborating on the Cancer Loyalty Card Study?

Experts from Imperial College London are working with major retailers Tesco and Boots, as well as the universities of Birmingham, Nottingham, and Lancashire, on this study.

Home / Health / Grocery Habits Could Spot Cancer Early

Grocery Habits Could Spot Cancer Early

2 Feb

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Summary

Loyalty card data may help detect ten cancer types.
Shopping shifts can precede diagnosis by months.
Study collaborates with Tesco and Boots for early detection.

Researchers are exploring how supermarket loyalty schemes could revolutionize early cancer detection. By analyzing purchasing habits, such as increased buying of certain medicines or changes in food preferences, scientists aim to identify tell-tale patterns that may precede a diagnosis by several months. This innovative approach is being tested in a large-scale study involving 2,900 volunteers across the UK.

The Cancer Loyalty Card Study 2 is expanding its scope to investigate ten specific cancer types, including bladder, bowel, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Experts are collaborating with major retailers like Tesco and Boots to examine data from their loyalty programs, such as Clubcard and Advantage cards, to identify unique purchasing signatures for each cancer type.

This initiative, funded by Cancer Research UK, has the potential to act as an early warning system, prompting individuals to seek medical attention sooner. The goal is to establish purchasing thresholds that distinguish healthy individuals from those with cancer, ultimately leading to earlier treatment when it is most effective and survival rates are higher.