Shopping Habits on Loyalty Cards May Help Find Cancer Early

Researchers are studying shopping habits from loyalty cards to see if they can help find cancer early. This idea comes from looking at what people buy, like medicine for pain or upset stomachs, which might be linked to certain cancers.
By Newsroom | Health, United Kingdom |

Recent discussions on BBC Morning Live have highlighted a potential, novel approach to identifying early signs of cancer: the analysis of consumer loyalty card data. A study, involving Tesco Clubcard and Boots Advantage Card information, is underway to investigate whether shopping habits can offer clues to developing malignancies. This initiative stems from prior research suggesting a link between specific purchasing patterns and the detection of ovarian cancer.

BBC Morning Live GP says Tesco Clubcard data could help detect cancer early - 1

The prospect of using widely adopted loyalty programs to flag potential health issues has sparked conversations about data privacy and the efficacy of such methods. Researchers are exploring whether patterns in grocery and pharmacy purchases could serve as an early warning system, prompting individuals to seek medical advice sooner, particularly for cancers that often present with subtle or non-specific symptoms.

BBC Morning Live GP says Tesco Clubcard data could help detect cancer early - 2

Investigating Shopping Habits as Health Indicators

An ongoing study aims to determine if trends in consumer purchasing behavior, as recorded by loyalty cards, can act as a precursor to cancer diagnosis.

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BBC Morning Live GP says Tesco Clubcard data could help detect cancer early - 3

  • The research will involve a significant number of participants: nearly 3,000 individuals, comprising 1,450 diagnosed with cancer and 1,450 healthy controls.

  • The core of the investigation is to pinpoint specific products associated with different cancer types and to identify purchasing thresholds that distinguish individuals with cancer from healthy ones.

  • The initial focus of such research, building on previous findings, included ovarian cancer. This earlier work indicated that frequent purchases of over-the-counter painkillers and indigestion tablets were linked to a higher risk.

  • Researchers are now broadening their scope to investigate patterns related to bowel, bladder, endometrial, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers.

Potential for Proactive Health Alerts

If the study proves successful, the implications could extend to a proactive health notification system.

BBC Morning Live GP says Tesco Clubcard data could help detect cancer early - 4

  • Dr. Oscar Duke, a General Practitioner appearing on BBC Morning Live, suggested that future developments might include shoppers receiving health alerts based on their loyalty card data.

  • Such a system would aim to identify subtle changes in shopping habits that might correlate with the early stages of various diseases.

  • This approach could be particularly valuable for cancers that often begin with mild, non-specific symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, or fatigue. These symptoms can sometimes lead individuals to self-medicate rather than consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Addressing Data Privacy Concerns

The use of personal shopping data for health screenings naturally raises questions about privacy.

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  • Both studies explicitly state that the analysis will be conducted using data from volunteers who consent to share their information.

  • As articulated by participants in the BBC discussions, there is a growing awareness and legitimate concern regarding the data held about individuals in the current era.

  • The success of such a system hinges on transparent data handling practices and robust consent mechanisms.

Expert Perspectives and Previous Findings

The concept of using retail data for health insights is not entirely new, with prior research providing a foundation for current investigations.

  • A Cancer Research UK campaign with Tesco in late 2025 highlighted efforts to train Tesco pharmacists to recognize and discuss potential cancer symptoms, underscoring a broader push for early diagnosis. This initiative aimed to address barriers to seeking help, such as difficulty obtaining GP appointments or choosing to manage symptoms alone.

  • A 2023 study indicated that loyalty card data from retailers like Sainsbury's (Nectar), Tesco (Clubcard), Marks and Spencer (Sparks), and Boots (Advantage Card) could potentially aid in the earlier detection of certain cancers.

  • This prior research specifically found that individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer often sought relief for symptoms using over-the-counter remedies, suggesting a purchasing behavior that could be detectable.

Future Directions and Unanswered Questions

The current research represents a promising avenue for early cancer detection, but several aspects require further investigation.

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  • The primary goal is to correlate specific product purchases with cancer types and to differentiate these patterns between healthy and ill individuals.

  • The feasibility and accuracy of building a digital alert system based on this data will depend on the robustness of the identified correlations.

  • Further validation will be crucial to ensure that any alerts generated are reliable and do not lead to unnecessary anxiety or medical consultations.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can my shopping habits show if I have cancer?
Some studies are looking into this. They check if buying certain things, like pain medicine, might be linked to cancer signs.
Q: Which loyalty cards are being studied?
Studies are looking at cards like Tesco Clubcard and Boots Advantage Card.
Q: Is my data safe?
Yes, the studies only use data from people who say it's okay to share it. They are careful with private information.
Q: Could this help find cancer sooner?
Maybe. If shopping habits can show early signs, people might get medical help faster, especially for cancers that are hard to spot at first.