New blood test that can screen for 50 different cancers at once

On Sep 14, 2022

A new blood test at St. Elizabeth can screen for 50 different types of cancer.The new test, called Galleri, detects DNA from cancer cells in the bloodstream.Health officials said because this DNA is different than DNA from the rest of the body’s normal blood cells, it can help identify a potential tumor that may require medical attention.St. Elizabeth calls the new test groundbreaking for patients since they can now pinpoint cancers that are right now hard to detect. “This test is very good at picking up cancers where we don’t currently have good screening options, such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer,” Jaime Grund, M.S., Director of St. Elizabeth Precision Medicine and Breast Centers, said in a statement. “Those cancers are difficult to detect at early stages. This new test allows us to screen for those diseases in a way that we haven’t been able to before.”Health officials said that because 70% of cancer deaths are from cancers that don’t have effective screening, the impact of the test could be significant.Currently, there are only screenings available for breast, cervical, colon, lung and prostate cancer, and they must be conducted one at a time.Whereas, the new blood test checks for 50 different cancers at once.Officials do say the test is meant to supplement already existing screenings, not replace them. Patients should also still see their providers for routine checkups.The blood test is currently available at St. Elizabeth for patients over age 50 who believe they are cancer free but may be at risk.The test is not recommended for those who are pregnant. Any patient who has been previously treated for cancer must be in remission for at least three years before getting tested.The test required a blood draw and results are available within two weeks. Positive results may identify concern for cancer in a specific part of the body, up to two affected body parts. If there’s a positive result, patients will be contacted by a licensed genetic counselor. “We see patients in our Prevention Clinic because we’re trying to identify cancers at their earliest stages when they are most easily treatable. We’re also interested in measures that can be taken to prevent cancer,” Grund said in a statement. “This blood test fits nicely into our early detection and prevention efforts.”To date, St. Elizabeth has completed the test on a handful of patients, and no one has received a positive result.Currently, the test isn’t covered by insurance and costs $949 out of pocket.

FORT THOMAS, Ky. —

A new blood test at St. Elizabeth can screen for 50 different types of cancer.

The new test, called Galleri, detects DNA from cancer cells in the bloodstream.

Health officials said because this DNA is different than DNA from the rest of the body’s normal blood cells, it can help identify a potential tumor that may require medical attention.

St. Elizabeth calls the new test groundbreaking for patients since they can now pinpoint cancers that are right now hard to detect.

“This test is very good at picking up cancers where we don’t currently have good screening options, such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer,” Jaime Grund, M.S., Director of St. Elizabeth Precision Medicine and Breast Centers, said in a statement. “Those cancers are difficult to detect at early stages. This new test allows us to screen for those diseases in a way that we haven’t been able to before.”

Health officials said that because 70% of cancer deaths are from cancers that don’t have effective screening, the impact of the test could be significant.

Currently, there are only screenings available for breast, cervical, colon, lung and prostate cancer, and they must be conducted one at a time.

Whereas, the new blood test checks for 50 different cancers at once.

Officials do say the test is meant to supplement already existing screenings, not replace them.

Patients should also still see their providers for routine checkups.

The blood test is currently available at St. Elizabeth for patients over age 50 who believe they are cancer free but may be at risk.

The test is not recommended for those who are pregnant. Any patient who has been previously treated for cancer must be in remission for at least three years before getting tested.

The test required a blood draw and results are available within two weeks.

Positive results may identify concern for cancer in a specific part of the body, up to two affected body parts.

If there’s a positive result, patients will be contacted by a licensed genetic counselor.

“We see patients in our Prevention Clinic because we’re trying to identify cancers at their earliest stages when they are most easily treatable. We’re also interested in measures that can be taken to prevent cancer,” Grund said in a statement. “This blood test fits nicely into our early detection and prevention efforts.”

To date, St. Elizabeth has completed the test on a handful of patients, and no one has received a positive…