
The GRAIL Company in Menlo Park, California has introduced what it calls
a first-of-a-kind multi-cancer early detection test called
Galleri. Through advancements in genomics research and DNA sequencing, Galleri
has the ability to detect more than 50
types of cancer, including malignant pleural mesothelioma, through a single blood draw.
Galleri is backed by clinical observation
studies reporting that it can detect cancer signals across multiple cancer types
and predict cancer origin or location with high accuracy with a false
positive rate of
less than 1%.
Select U.S. health systems, including
Providence in California, Oregon and Washington and
The Mayo Clinic, have begun to offer access to the early detection blood test, as a complement
to recommended single cancer screening tests. Galleri is intended to supplement
existing cancer diagnostic tests within the context of a patient’s
medical history and symptoms. It’s important to note that Galleri
is prescription-only and must be ordered by a licensed health-care provider.
It’s currently not covered by health insurance and has an out-of-pocket
cost of $949.
As with most cancers, the sooner Mesothelioma is discovered, the better
the odds it can be successfully treated. This exciting breakthrough in
early detection has the potential to reduce the human toll of cancer and
the heartbreak that comes with a delayed diagnosis.