The prospect of a single test that could detect many types of cancers early is incredibly appealing. It would mean faster treatment, potentially higher chances of survival, and peace of mind for many. This is the idea behind one test for cancer, an emerging technology that aims to identify signs of cancer in its early stages, long before symptoms appear. However, there’s a lot to unpack with these new tests.
How accurate and reliable are they? Who should consider them, and how do they fit into existing screening recommendations? This post covers one test for cancer, the science behind them, their benefits and limitations, and what the future holds for this technology.
What is One Test for Cancer?
One test for cancer, also known as multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, are a new type of blood test. These tests search for specific biological signals, often called biomarkers, that cancer cells release into the bloodstream. Instead of looking for one specific type of cancer like a mammogram or colonoscopy, these tests can potentially flag signs of multiple cancers at once.
How Does One Test for Cancer Work?
Imagine cancer cells as tiny factories. As they grow, they release minuscule byproducts, proteins, DNA fragments, and other molecules, into your blood. One test for cancer acts as a highly sensitive detective, capable of finding even trace amounts of these biomarkers. By analyzing the type and amount of various biomarkers in your blood sample, MCED tests can give doctors an idea of whether cancer may be present and possibly where it is in the body.
It’s kind of like detecting smoke from a fire; while you may not be able to see the flames directly, the smoke suggests something’s burning. However, this is where one of the key challenges lies: just like smoke doesn’t always mean fire, a positive MCED result doesn’t always mean cancer. False positives can occur, meaning further investigations are necessary to rule out the presence of cancer. And even if a test confirms a positive, it doesn’t always tell doctors the stage or type of cancer, leading to more testing.
The Appeal of One Test for Cancer: Catching It Early
You’ve probably heard it a million times – early detection is key when it comes to fighting cancer. The earlier cancer is caught, the better the chances of successful treatment and survival. This is where the true power of one test for cancer shines. Many cancers, particularly those without traditional screening methods, are often diagnosed only when they’ve already spread. Think of cancers like pancreatic cancer, which has a 5-year survival rate of just 12% when diagnosed in later stages.
A Look at the Potential Benefits
If MCED tests prove clinically valuable, they could completely change the landscape of cancer detection. Imagine a future where, during a routine physical, alongside your cholesterol check, a blood sample could be used to screen for several cancers simultaneously. This could revolutionize our approach to cancer: early detection becomes more proactive, allowing for timelier treatment and, potentially, better outcomes.
The Need for More Research
One test for cancer is an incredible innovation, but we’re still in the early stages of development and research. Scientists are actively investigating the effectiveness of different MCED tests, striving to refine their accuracy, and understand their limitations. They’re exploring various crucial questions: how do these tests perform in diverse populations, can they distinguish between aggressive and slow-growing tumors, what are the implications of false positives, and perhaps most critically, do they truly decrease the number of cancer deaths?
These are all complex questions that will take years of dedicated research to answer. For now, one test for cancer isn’t meant to replace existing screening methods but to work alongside them. More robust research is critical to understand how to make the most of MCED tests and reduce potential risks.
One Test for Cancer: Two Options on the Market
OneTest™
(20/20 GeneSystems, Inc.) offers two types of tests for cancer, OneTest™ Standard and OneTest™ Premium. These blood tests look for proteins, not genes, which they state is more relevant for early cancer detection. Studies show less than 5% of genetic mutations causing cancer are inherited. Instead, these proteins or tumor marker antigens are released by actual tumor cells and, the company says, have been proven highly correlated with many common cancers.
OneTest™ Premium, which starts at $345, checks 11 cancer biomarkers, and OneTest™ Standard starts at $199 and checks between 5 and 6 cancer markers, varying by gender. OneTest™ Premium gives a report of eight different cancers’ risks, as well as the overall risk score. However, OneTest™ Standard simply gives the overall score with individual markers.
You may be thinking, that’s still a lot of money. That’s the idea, though; while traditional methods for screening cost between $1,000 and $2,000 every five years, if the technology behind onetest for cancer proves reliable enough, these affordable screens, as low as $199, may soon become annual. Annual screenings, because of their lower price point, will likely mean higher rates of early detection across populations.
Both OneTest™ versions need authorization from a healthcare professional; customers can get their own or buy the company’s service. Then, you need to either schedule a blood draw with a personal doctor or pay an extra $39 to use one of their partnered network facilities across the United States. All of this needs to be done after ordering a test online.
| Feature | OneTest™ Standard | OneTest™ Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Number of biomarkers | 5-6 (varies by gender) | 11 |
| Overall cancer risk score | Yes | Yes |
| Individual cancer risk score for 8 cancer types | No | Yes |
| Price | $199+ | $345+ |
Galleri®
The Galleri® test is offered through GRAIL. The company states its lab test looks for a cancer signal shared by over 50 cancers by studying cell-free DNA in a person’s blood. There are a few limitations to this particular onetest for cancer. This test should only be ordered by a doctor, not directly from the company, meaning access to the test isn’t as easy as ordering online and scheduling a blood draw at your convenience. This test isn’t meant to replace traditional screenings. Those who order the test are still encouraged to continue the screenings that doctors recommend.
Although the company reports some promising preliminary findings, concerns still linger about the overall accuracy of their MCED test, particularly when detecting earlier stages of the disease. More clinical research is needed to minimize negative outcomes, especially overdiagnosis, according to cancer.gov.
Considering the Broader Impact: Beyond Individuals
If research proves that onetest for cancer works, think of the potential impact. Imagine catching hard-to-detect cancers early and saving countless lives. It might become standard practice alongside traditional screenings, significantly reshaping our healthcare system. These changes come with many logistical and economic considerations; who gets access to these tests, how is the cost managed, and do we have the capacity to handle the influx of potential diagnoses and treatments?
Conclusion
While promising, onetest for cancer is an emerging field, and researchers are still investigating how they can be most helpful in preventing cancer-related deaths. These blood tests have the potential to be revolutionary tools that work alongside traditional screenings in our fight against cancer. If you have concerns about onetest for cancer, or your individual risk factors, a good first step is talking with your doctor or a healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of these tests and current screening guidelines that best apply to you.
