A New Test Can Detect Over 50 Types of Cancer from a Single Blood Draw
Cancer is projected to become the world’s leading cause of death this year. More than 600,000 Americans will die from cancer in 2021, largely because the majority of cancers are found at later stages when treatment is often more difficult.
We’ve been waging war against cancer for decades and, overall, we are still not winning this war. Cancer diagnosis is often far too late, when it has spread to a metastatic state. The currently recommended screening tests do save lives, but they cover only five cancer types (colon, lung, breast, cervical and prostate) and screening for these is done separately and one at a time. Other cancers are responsible for 71% of cancer deaths and have no recommended early detection screening.
Now, a next-generation blood-based tests is available that will change the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. This diagnostic blood test, called the Galleri Test, is designed to detect cancer DNA in the bloodstream. It can identify over 50 different types of cancer, from the earliest stages. Nothing like this has existed previously.
The Galleri Test brings immense progress in the early detection of many lethal cancers that are notoriously difficult to screen for. It has a less than 1% false-positive rate and is able able to identify the type and location of the cancer 89% of the time. The science and research behind this test are fascinating and the potential it brings to lowering cancer mortality through early detection cannot be overstated. In our view, this technology has significant potential to improve the early detection of cancer - and with early detection there is improved survival. Amazingly, this can be accomplished simply through a blood test!
What is the importance of early detection?
Finding cancer early is important to improve treatment outcomes and survival.
The vast majority of cancers show no symptoms until later stages, when treatment options may be limited.
Today, there are 5 recommended cancer screening tests that together only account for 1 in 4 diagnosed cancers in patients over 50 years of age.
When cancers are diagnosed early, before they have had a chance to spread, the overall 5-year survival rate is four times higher than when diagnosed in later stages.
The most important cancer is the one that you or your loved one may have - and beating it starts with knowing you have it.
At the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness, we have the unique opportunity to be among the first to make this test available to our clients and community. The testing is provided with a medical consultation by our nationally recognized Integrative Medical and Oncology team to review results and provide recommendations. The cost is $1,500. The test is not covered by insurance.
If you are interested in receiving the Galleri Test after viewing this information, please contact our office to schedule a visit.
About The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness
Dr. Fabio Almeida M.D. ABOIM, ABNM, ABOM is the founder and director of the Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness at the CIVANA Carefree Resort. Dr. Fabio is a triple board-certified physician with expertise in Integrative & Functional Medicine/Oncology, Molecular Imaging and Obesity. He served as an Assistant Professor of Radiology & Radiation Oncology, and subsequently as the Director of Molecular Imaging for the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson Arizona. Dr. Fabio is a fellow of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona, where he acquired expertise in integrative medicine, herbal medicine, nutrition, fitness, acupuncture, and stress management. He is published in several peer-reviewed journals and book chapters in radiology, oncology, cardiology, nutrition, and information science.
At the Center, Dr. Fabio and his team offer concierge adult primary care and a wide variety of personalized integrative, holistic and anti-aging therapies (traditional medicine, nutrition, culinary medicine, herbal/botanical, lifestyle, weight loss, hormone balance, fitness, energy medicine) to address all our client’s longevity and health care needs.