New York. Doctors, researchers and patient advocates in America are excited about a new blood test that claims to detect cancer early. But medical experts are divided on whether you should really be using it right now. It is claimed that the $949 Galerie Liquid Biopsy can detect more than 50 types of cancer. It works by looking for signs of cancer in DNA released by tumors into the bloodstream. Grail, a unit of gene-sequencing company Illumina, developed the test.
According to a report in the ‘Wall Street Journal’, the company that makes the test has sold more than 130,000 prescription tests since launching Galerie Liquid Biopsy in the market in June 2021. Some doctors are recommending patients undergo this test along with a full-body MRI and other cancer tests. Despite its growing sales and support from some doctors, others in the medical world are still saying to be cautious about it. They say there is no research showing the new test will prevent cancer deaths and warn of the risk of getting false positive or negative results.
One study found that about half of people with positive cancer results on most initial tests do not have cancer. Receiving false positive reports of cancer can increase anxiety and lead to unnecessary and expensive treatments. False negative test results can prevent patients from getting needed tests and delay cancer detection. This can significantly increase the risk of patients dying. The US Deputy Director of Cancer Prevention Department at National Cancer Institute Dr. Lori Minasin said: ‘If I feel well and have no symptoms and am at minimal risk of cancer, do I need to take it? I don’t think there’s enough evidence yet that it’s very effective.
At the same time, the company that makes the test and proponents of the Galley Liquid Biopsy say the potential benefit of catching cancer earlier outweighs all these concerns. The company believes that this test will increase cancer detection and improve public health. If you get a positive result for cancer, you should confirm it after having all kinds of tests. Grail scientist Dr. Eric Klein says, ‘America still loses 600,000 people every year to cancer, which really shows the need and importance of this new technology.’
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Tags: America, Cancer, Health News, life
First published: October 27, 2023, 07:11 IST