A new blood test uses a computer model to analyze free-floating genetic material circulating in the blood, which has been linked to liver scarring. The test can detect a precursor to liver disease, which can also be a harbinger of cancer. If left untreated, this early scarring can develop into severe liver scarting, cirrhosis, and eventually cancer. While the test still requires follow-up testing to confirm accuracy, it could potentially identify people at risk of liver cancer before it emerges. The study's results were published in the journal Live Science. The next steps are to validate the machine learning that can detect liver fibrosis, which could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases before they become chronic.