The announcement from US Wellness about the availability of Galleri® is significant in the field of cancer detection and prevention. Galleri® is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening test that can detect a shared cancer signal across more than 50 types of cancer through a routine blood draw. This means that the test has the potential to identify various forms of cancer in their early stages, which is crucial for improving patient outcomes and increasing the chances of successful treatment.
One of the major challenges in cancer treatment is that many cases are identified in later stages when the cancer has already advanced, leading to poorer outcomes. In 2023, it is estimated that more than 609,000 people in the U.S. will die from cancer, in part due to the lack of early detection screenings for many types of cancer.
“US Wellness’ mission is to provide innovative solutions that inspire people to live healthier, be stronger, and achieve more. We do this through identification of health risks so that individuals can take life-saving steps to avoid and reduce illness,” stated Alyssa Williamson, President at US Wellness. “The Galleri multi-cancer early detection test gives us a powerful tool to address cancer risk by identifying cancer early. We believe that Galleri has the potential to help employers reduce cancer claims and address traditional health disparities in cancer detection and screening.”
The Galleri test aims to address this issue by providing a broader range of early detection capabilities for cancer, going beyond the limited types of cancer currently covered by screening tests (breast, colon, cervical, prostate, and, in high-risk adults, lung). By detecting cancer signals and predicting the origin of the cancer with high accuracy, the Galleri test can guide healthcare providers and patients towards appropriate diagnostic procedures and early intervention, potentially saving lives.
“Multi-cancer early detection technology is a novel tool in our arsenal that identifies a common cancer signal by many different types of cancer, with the goal of detecting cancer in earlier stages when treatment is more likely to be successful,” stated Jeffrey Venstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at GRAIL. “With only screenings available for just five types of cancer today, the unmet medical need is clear. We are excited to add US Wellness as a distributor of Galleri and align with their commitment to cancer screening.”
US Wellness works with employers nationwide to offer health and wellbeing services, and by providing access to the Galleri test to eligible employees, they are taking a proactive approach to prevent or reduce health claims and improve overall health outcomes. Early cancer detection can lead to life-saving treatments, and the availability of this screening test has the potential to make a significant impact on cancer mortality rates.
It’s important to note that my knowledge is up to September 2021, and developments might have occurred after that date. Therefore, I recommend checking for any updates or further information from reliable sources to stay current with the latest advancements in cancer detection and screening.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
