FHH says it can test for more than 50 types of cancer before they start showing symptoms.
Frederick, Md (KM) There’s a new blood test available at Frederick Health Hospital which can detect more than 50 types of cancer before any symptoms can occur. It’s called the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test. “I discovered Galleri. It was the first test to be launched as a multi-cancer,. early detection test,” says Patricia Rice, Clinical Director for Precision Medicine and Genetics at Frederick Health Hospital. “They just published a second study which shows very positive results.”
Rice says cancer cells secrete DNA in a person’s bloodstream, often before they experience any symptoms. “So it works by detecting these DNA fragments that are shed by cancer,” she says.
“It can also tells us the possible origin of the cancer if a positive signal is detected,” Rice continues.
If a positive cancer signal is detected, the patient is turned over to the care of a physician’s assistant who runs the FHH High Risk Cancer Clinic. “She would then initiate a workup for whatever cancer the test signal indicates,” says Rice.
She says the Galeri multi-cancer early detection test can detect certain types of cancers long before symptoms are experience, and that includes liver, pancreatic, ovarian and esophageal cancers. which are some of the most deadly cancers. “It doesn’t diagnose cancer,” says Rice. “So if somebody does get a positive cancer signal, then they have to undergo a workup for that potential cancer.”
FHH says it’s very confident in the accuracy of this method of determining if a patient has a certain type of cancer. “The sensitivity is very good,” says Rice, referring to the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test.
But it’s still important for everyone to get screened for cancer. “If you don’t have screening, then cancer is not likely to be found early when it’s easily treated,” says Rice. “Then patients undergo, if they’re diagnosed with a late stage cancer, that means surgery and sometimes chemotherapy and very complicated treatment; and sometimes lifelong treatment after that.”
By Kevin McManus