Galleri Cancer Detection Test | MCED

Did you know that around 70% of cancer deaths are caused due to failure in early detection? Moreover, 50% of cancers reach an advanced stage when diagnosed. Patients diagnosed earlier with cancers are not only more likely to survive but experience better treatment, care, and quality of life.

To promote early cancer diagnosis, advanced, faster, and better diagnostic strategies are being developed, and one of them is the Galleri cancer test. The Galleri test is one of the simplest cancer detection tests that can detect over 50 types of cancers from a simple blood test. An American Biotech company, Grail, launched the Galleri blood test. The Galleri test is also called the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED).

In this article, we will discuss everything related to the Galleri test, including how the test works, how Galleri test results are interpreted, their cost, accuracy, how to order the test, and more. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

What Is The Galleri Test?

Galleri blood test or Galleri cancer test is a multi-cancer early detection test that evaluates a common signal shared across more than 50 kinds of cancers by analysing a person’s blood. It is unique from other cancer detection tests because it screens multiple cancers instead of identifying or searching for any specific type of tumor. With a single blood test, it can screen numerous cancers, thus switching the screening process from single to multiple cancer detection.

How Does The Galleri Test Work?

Every cell, including cancer cells in our body, sheds its DNA into the bloodstream as they die, which is known as cell-free DNA. But the cancer cells contain specific methylation patterns which are not present in our healthy cells. This methylation pattern helps to identify and differentiate cancer cells and provides information about where the cancer signal is coming from in our body.

Cancers shedding more DNA have high mortality. The greater the proportion of cancer DNA in the blood sample, the stronger its signal will be, increasing the chances of being detected by the Galleri test.

The Galleri cancer screening identifies various patterns of the cancer’s DNA code to analyse the presence of cancer signals and their origin.

What Is The Galleri Test Results?

The early cancer detection blood test or the Galleri test is diagnosed as positive or negative on the basis of the presence of cancer signals in the patient’s blood.

1. The presence of a cancer signal indicates that you may have cancer. The results show “Cancer Signal Detected.”
2. No cancer signal indicates that your bloodstream has no cancer DNA. The results show “Signal Not Detected.”

On the detection of a cancer signal, the Galleri test identifies the organ from which the cancer is originating. After that, other specific tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound for that affected organ, would need to be performed.

Who Is The Right Candidate For The Galleri Test?

The Galleri blood test is not recommended for everyone. Additionally, the test is not meant to replace other cancer screening tests recommended or prescribed by your doctor. You are not the right candidate for the Galleri test if:

• You are 21 years old or younger.
• You are pregnant.
• You have ongoing cancer treatment.

If you are not sure, you can ask your healthcare provider if you are the right candidate or if the test is suitable for you. You may be the right candidate for the Galleri test if:

• You have a family history of cancer.
• You are aged or 50+ years old.
• You are at an elevated risk of cancer.

Cancers Detected By The Galleri Test

The Galleri blood test for cancer can detect over 50 different types of cancers:

A
Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma
Ampulla of Vater
Anus
Appendix, Carcinoma
B
Bile Ducts, Distal
Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
Bile Ducts, Perihilar
Bladder, Urinary
Bone
Breast
C
Cervix
Colon and Rectum
E
Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction
G
Gallbladder
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms
K
Kidney
L
Larynx
Leukemia
Liver
Lung
Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
M
Melanoma of the Skin
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural
N
Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses
Nasopharynx
Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Appendix
Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Colon
and Rectum
Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas
O
Oral Cavity
Oropharynx (HPV-Mediated, p16+)
Oropharynx (p16-) and Hypopharynx
Ovary, Fallopian Tube and Primary
Peritoneum
P
Pancreas, exocrine
Penis
Plasma Cell Myeloma and Plasma Cell
Disorders
Prostate
S
Small Intestine
Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Abdomen
and Thoracic Visceral Organs
Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Head and Neck
Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the
Retroperitoneum
Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Trunk
and Extremities
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Unusual Histologies
and Sites
Stomach
T
Testis
U
Uterus, Carcinoma and Carcinosarcoma
Ureter, Renal Pelvis
Uterus, Sarcoma
V
Vagina
Vulva

Is The Test Grail Galleri cancer screening test FDA Approved?

The Grail Galleri cancer test is not FDA-approved yet, but Grail plans to seek FDA approval in 2023. GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is regulated under CLIA to perform high-complexity testing.

Why The Galleri Test?

• The Galleri test is a convenient cancer screening test that detects tumors by simply looking for markers in a patient’s blood.
• The test can detect multiple types of cancers instead of identifying only a single or specific cancer type.
• The Galleri test also identifies the location of the cancer signal in the body.
• Around 70% of cancer deaths are caused by a lack of on-time screening, and the Galleri test allows early detection of cancers in people who are at higher risk.

Is The Galleri Test Accurate?

The Galleri test is not a replacement for traditional cancer screening tests but can be done additionally with other tumor diagnostic tests. The chances of false-positive and false-negative results with the Galleri test are also possible.

A false-positive test is when you don’t have cancer, but the Galleri test results show positive results. On the other hand, a false-negative result is when you have cancer, but the Galleri test results show negative results.

However, the chances of false results are low. The Galleri test is 99.5% accurate. In around 200 individuals tested, the chances of false-positive results are expected in 1 person. Therefore, it necessary not to rely only on the Galleri test and perform all other screening tests along with the Galleri test.

The Cost Of The Galleri Test

The Galleri blood test cost varies depending on your healthcare provider from whom you order the test. The test, the blood draw and the provider’s consultation runs around $1,299. Part of that cost, about $949 can be financed by Grail with monthly payments over one year interest free. Health savings account can be used in many cases. Insurance does not pay for any cost associated with this test. In some rare instances, insurance may pay. For example a Massachusetts commercial health plan is the first in the nation to cover Galleri for its employees.

How To Order The Galleri Test?

There are three basic steps to order the Grail multi-cancer test:

1)   Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Contact your doctor and order the test through your healthcare provider. If your doctor is not a Grail Galleri test provider, then you can contact Dr. Monica Gavin at Azani Medical Spa who is a Galleri test provider.

2)   Get Your Blood Test Done

After your healthcare provider agrees to order the test based on your age, health condition or family history, you receive a testing box including everything needed. The patient then goes to any LabCorp testing office for the blood draw. The testing tubes then get shipped overnight to Grail labs in California for processing.

3)   Receive Your Test Result

Within around 10 working days, you will receive your Galleri test results. Your ordering physician will discuss your results.

FAQs

Q. Does insurance cover the Galleri blood test?

No. The Grail Galleri test for cancer is not covered by any health insurance. You will have to pay for the galleri blood test cost if you plan to order the test through your healthcare provider.

Q. Is fasting required before the galleri cancer test?

Fasting is not required before the galleri cancer test.

Q. How frequently should the Galleri test be performed?

The intervals between a galleri test depend on your doctor’s recommendation, your health condition, and your family history. However, frequent screening increases the chance of early detection.

Q. Is the Galleri test accurate?

The Galleri test is the initial test for cancer screening and does not detect all types of cancers. Moreover, false-positive or false-negative results are not common but may occur. Hence, other screening tests to confirm a cancer diagnosis, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, are necessary for any positive results.

Q. Where is the Galleri test performed?

The Galleri test can be performed at any of these places; at your healthcare provider’s laboratory or clinic, at-home appointment, or at any of Grail’s Partner Laboratories.

Conclusion

The Galleri test is a multi-cancer early detection test that diagnosis over 50 cancer types from a single blood draw. It is commonly recommended in adults 50+ years of age or in people who are at an increased risk of developing cancer. The Galleri test is done by a healthcare American Biotech Company, Grail.

“Patients are very excited about the convenience and peace of mind the Galleri test can provide” says Dr. Monica Gavin owner of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem PA. “It’s also critical to find cancer at the earliest possible stage to have the best chance of curing it.” 

Regular screening is recommended for just five types of cancer — breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate. For other types, screening isn’t routine, meaning they’re often detected in later stages after symptoms have emerged and the disease has metastasized.

At the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022, GRAIL announced the results of a study evaluating the Galleri test among more than 6,000 individuals age 50 or older. Corroborating a previously identified 1.1% cancer detection rate, 35 participants were diagnosed with 36 cancers. Among the confirmed cancers, 71% of participants had cancer types that have no routine cancer screening available and nearly half of the non-recurrent cancers were found in beginning stages. 

“My mother and I had the test done, and we are so glad we did. Both our tests were negative and it gave us great peace of mind”, says Dr. Monica Gavin.

If you want early cancer detection for 50 cancers, then get your test done today. Call Dr. Gavin at Azani Medical Spa at 610-625-3000, or text us at 610-625-3002 or email us at [email protected] or visit our website www.AzaniMedicalSpa.com