It’s no surprise that cancer is one of the most feared diseases in the United States. Most of us know someone who has been affected by it; research tells us that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 5 people will die from cancer.
Beating cancer starts with knowing you have it, and AIM is excited to announce that we are now offering a test to make detecting, and ultimately beating cancer, more of a possibility.
The Galleri™ test by GRAIL is changing the game of cancer screening. It is a multi-cancer, early detection liquid biopsy test that detects over 50 types of cancer through a simple blood draw. Until now, effective routine screening for cancer was very limited. Early detection of breast, cervical, colon, lung, and prostate cancer is made possible through procedures such as mammography and colonoscopy, but most types of cancer are detected only once symptoms begin to show. For most cancers, these symptoms don’t present themselves until later stages of the disease, when treatment options are limited. And, 71% of cancer deaths are caused by cancers that are not routinely screened for.
This is where Galleri comes in. We are proud to be one of the nation’s first private clinics to offer this test. How does this groundbreaking test work? We send your blood sample to GRAIL, and they use the Galleri test to look for the genetic changes that happen to the DNA when normal cells turn cancerous. When a cancer cell reaches the end of its lifespan, this abnormal DNA is released into the bloodstream and can then be isolated by the Galleri test for identification.
Galleri detects the actual presence of cancer, not just the risk for cancer which other genomic tests are able to detect. If cancer is identified, it’s important to note that further scans, biopsies, and other procedures will be necessary to officially diagnose the cancer and determine the stage. The Galleri test is also intended to be used in addition to other cancer screening tests such as those mentioned above; it’s not meant to replace these procedures.
At this time, the Galleri test is available for less than $1000 and can be covered using FSA/HSA funds.
For questions about the test and if it’s right for you, speak to one of our doctors about the risks and benefits.
We are excited to be able to offer this incredible technology to our patients, and we believe in its potential to transform cancer screening and cancer care. Please visit the Galleri website to learn more about the test, and as always, we at AIM are happy to answer any questions you may have.
