New Blood Test Detects Cancer Before Symptoms Appear

Waiting for cancer symptoms to emerge may soon be a thing of the past. This week, the telemedicine service Hims & Hers launched a blood test that screens for multiple types of cancer, even those without standard checkups.

“Catching cancer early usually provides more treatment options and a greater chance for a successful outcome,” said Dr. Pat Carroll, the company’s chief medical officer. “This step is crucial for promoting healthier, longer lives.”

The test, named “Galleri,” involves a single blood draw, which is analyzed for tiny DNA fragments from over 50 types of cancer.

“If we detect a cancer signal, the test can identify which tissue or organ system is likely affected,” Carroll noted. “This is important as it guides healthcare providers on the next steps instead of just reporting abnormalities.”

Hims & Hers is a modern telemedicine provider. The Galleri test has been available through other avenues since 2021.

As of this week, subscribers to the clinical testing service, priced at $350, can add this prescription-only testing for an extra $700, which is about 25% cheaper than its standard price.

“This tool is aimed at those seeking preventive care,” Carroll stated. “Since more than one in three individuals will face cancer in their lifetime, additional monitoring tools before symptoms appear can benefit people from various backgrounds.”

However, like many lab-developed tests, Galleri hasn’t yet gained FDA approval for its safety and effectiveness. Its manufacturer, Grail, submitted an application for formal review recently.

The submission includes results from a large-scale clinical study, tracking nearly 36,000 adults aged 50 and older, where the test detected 40.4% of cancer cases. Notably, over half of these instances were found at stages 1 or 2, with many involving cancers lacking standard screening methods, including those affecting the pancreas and liver.

This is significant because many cancers can progress without symptoms and lack routine detection methods. Alarmingly, 57% of cancer deaths in the U.S. are linked to cancers for which screening is not advised.

“This gap can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment, creating unnecessary complications,” Carroll cautioned.

Yet, the test doesn’t guarantee accuracy. In a study involving 216 patients flagged for potential cancer, around 62% were actually diagnosed within a year, but a notable 38% were false alarms.

These false positives contribute to the conservative nature of cancer screening guidelines. Research suggests that unnecessary screenings can lead to overdiagnosis, overtreatment, high costs, and significant stress for patients.

Carroll reiterated that Galleri is not a diagnostic tool; it merely screens for possible indicators of concern.

“Detecting a cancer signal doesn’t mean the customer has cancer, but it does suggest further evaluation is necessary,” he mentioned.

If a signal is identified, the provider will typically reach out quickly—usually within 15 hours—to explain the results.

“After that, customers can download their results and share them with their regular healthcare provider, who may propose further testing or imaging,” Carroll added.

Even if someone doesn’t have a healthcare provider, they can connect with a patient advocate from Galleri.

In their own release about Galleri, Hims & Hers acknowledged that “false-positive and false-negative results may occur.”

This uncertainty raises concerns from some experts that a positive result might lead individuals to neglect symptoms or skip regular testing altogether.

“A lot of people may not fully understand how to interpret the test,” warned Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Institute’s Translational Laboratory, which reviewed the test data.

“If they get a ‘negative, no cancer detected’ result, why would they seek further investigation?”

Carroll emphasized that Galleri is intended for annual use and should not replace traditional tests like mammograms or colonoscopies.

“We encourage our customers to view this as a complementary tool alongside their routine screenings,” he noted. “This marks a substantial improvement in our ability to detect cancer signals earlier and more comprehensively than through traditional methods alone.”