Clinical trials for a blood test designed to detect breast cancer are expected to begin within the next three years.

A blood test that can detect breast cancer is expected to begin clinical trials within three years.

The test, developed by Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute researchers, checks breast cancer patients' blood for DNA specific to tumours, News Corp Australia reports.

The research has been awarded a $385,000 National Breast Cancer Foundation grant.

Initially the test will be used to check women who have already been treated for breast cancer for the return of the disease.

Associate Professor Alexander Dobrovic from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute said there was the potential for the test to be modified so it could be used in the early detection of breast cancer.

"To be truly effective as a screening test, it would have to be refined so it could identify all women who have cancer," he told News Corp Australia.