Galleri early cancer detection blood test: I tried it.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, largely because many cases are discovered too late. A recent study suggests that a simple blood test could help detect cancers early and improve survival chances.
The research, conducted by GRAIL, the company that developed the Galleri test, included 25,000 healthy adults over 50. The test, called a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test, aims to find cancer signals in the bloodstream. It identified possible cancer in 216 people, and 133 were later confirmed to have the disease. The test also correctly located the cancer’s origin in 92% of cases.
Early detection often saves lives. Many cancers, such as those of the pancreas, ovaries, and liver, lack routine screening tests. By the time they are found, treatment options may be limited. The Galleri test could fill that gap by spotting early signs through a simple blood draw.
Current screening tools like mammograms, Pap tests, colonoscopies, and prostate checks target specific cancers. The Galleri test is different. It searches for multiple cancers at once using DNA fragments released by tumor cells into the blood. This process, known as a liquid biopsy, helps identify molecular changes long before symptoms appear.
The test analyzes DNA and protein patterns through advanced lab equipment and machine learning. When unusual signals are detected, doctors can focus on specific organs for further testing and targeted treatment.
At present, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any multi-cancer early detection tests. However, several have received the “Breakthrough Device” label, which speeds up their research and review. More large-scale studies are underway to confirm their reliability before public use.
Researchers hope these tests could soon change how cancers are diagnosed, giving doctors a head start in treating the disease.
Sources: GRAIL, Nature, American Cancer Society, PLOS, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center,
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