Genetic Cancer Screening: What You Need to Know About Risk, Testing, and Prevention

Early detection is one of the most effective strategies in the fight against cancer. Traditionally, cancer screenings have focused on individual cancers like breast, cervical, or colon cancer.

But what if a single blood test could detect multiple cancers at once, including those that currently lack routine screening methods? That's the promise of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests—a new frontier in cancer screening.¹

Here, we'll explore what MCED tests are, how they work, who they are for, and what you should consider before taking one.

An MCED test is a blood-based screening tool that detects signals associated with multiple types of cancer from a single blood draw. MCED stands for multi-cancer early detection. These tests analyze cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the blood to look for patterns that indicate the presence of cancer.²

Unlike traditional cancer screenings that typically detect one cancer at a time, MCED tests can identify dozens of cancers simultaneously, including cancers that currently have no recommended routine screening protocols, such as pancreatic or ovarian cancer.^1,2

MCED tests collect a blood sample and analyze the cfDNA that circulates in the bloodstream. When cells die, they release fragments of DNA into the blood. In people with cancer, tumor cells shed DNA with distinctive chemical changes called methylation patterns.⁹

Machine learning algorithms analyze these methylation patterns to detect whether a cancer signal is present and to predict the cancer's tissue of origin.^2,9 Results are typically classified as:

• Positive – when a cancer signal is detected

• Negative – when no cancer signal is detected

• Atypical – in rare cases

Like all screening tools, MCED tests carry a risk of false positives (suggesting cancer when none is present) and false negatives (missing a cancer that is present).¹

The leading MCED test currently on the market, Galleri®, claims to detect signals from more than 50 types of cancer. These include:^1–3

• Pancreatic

• Ovarian

• Lung

• Liver

• Breast

• Skin

• Prostate

Many of these cancers are typically diagnosed at later stages due to a lack of symptoms or existing screening methods. MCED testing offers a chance to catch them earlier.^1,2

Researchers are currently studying MCED testing as a potential tool for early cancer detection across diverse populations, particularly because cancer risk increases with age.⁴

Other individuals who might be interested include:

• People with a strong family history of cancer

• Individuals with known genetic risk factors

• Adults aged 50 or older

• Those seeking to supplement traditional screening with a broader approach

MCED tests are not approved as a replacement for existing cancer screenings (such as mammograms or colonoscopies) but may offer an additional layer of early detection.¹

Currently, insurance in the United States does not widely cover MCED tests like Galleri® because these tests are relatively new and national guidelines have not yet endorsed them.¹

Galleri tests have not been approved by the FDA, but Galleri is available as a lab-developed test (LDT) under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations.¹ Ongoing clinical trials may change coverage and guideline recommendations in the future.

The out-of-pocket price for an MCED test typically ranges from $800 to $950.⁵

Traditional screening methods (for example, Pap smears, mammograms, and colonoscopies) are proven and targeted, often detecting early signs of cancer in specific organs.⁶ However, they only screen for a few types of cancer.

MCED tests can detect multiple types of cancer in one blood draw and provide information about the likely tissue of origin. But they are less established and still undergoing validation in large-scale clinical trials.¹

Liquid biopsies and MCED tests are similar in that they both analyze blood for tumor DNA. However, healthcare providers typically use liquid biopsies after a cancer diagnosis to monitor disease progression or treatment response, whereas MCED tests are intended for early detection before any symptoms arise.^2,7

MCED tests have shown promising accuracy, but no test is perfect. Clinical studies show a low false-positive rate (under 1%) and reasonable sensitivity depending on the cancer type and stage.⁸

Limitations include:

• False negatives: A cancer may not shed enough DNA to be detected.

• False positives: Though rare, false positives can lead to additional diagnostic procedures.

• Uncertainty: A positive test requires follow-up imaging and/or biopsy to confirm diagnosis.

Because of these limitations, experts recommend MCED testing be used as a complement, not a substitute, for established screenings.^1,2

You can get an MCED test through healthcare providers or specialty labs. If you're interested in taking one, you will typically:

1. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors and whether the test is appropriate for you.

2. Provide a blood sample at a participating lab or clinic.

3. Wait for results.

4. Follow up on any positive or inconclusive results with further testing.

Some companies also offer telehealth options to order the test, but it's recommended to involve your healthcare provider to help interpret results and coordinate follow-up care.¹

It is a blood-based screening tool that detects signals from multiple types of cancer by analyzing cfDNA methylation patterns.¹

Most MCED tests cost around $950 and are not typically covered by insurance at this time.⁵

No single test detects all cancers perfectly. MCED tests are currently the most comprehensive early detection tools available, but they still have limitations.¹

Galleri® is a leading MCED test that can detect signals from more than 50 types of cancer.³

MCED tests are designed for early detection before diagnosis. Liquid biopsies are generally used after a cancer diagnosis to monitor treatment or detect recurrence.^1,7

At Everlywell, we believe knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for prevention. While we do not currently offer comprehensive hereditary cancer panels, we do offer two multi-cancer early detection tests that look for signals of cancer already present in the body—a different question than the inherited risk a genetic panel measures, and a useful complement to it.

• Caris Detect Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test — screens for signals from 50+ cancers with a single blood draw, with genetic counseling included to help you understand your results.

• Galleri Cancer Screening Test — a blood-based MCED test that looks for signals from more than 50 types of cancer and predicts the likely tissue of origin to guide follow-up.

Neither test replaces your recommended screenings, and neither one tells you whether you carry an inherited mutation. Used alongside routine screening—and, where appropriate, hereditary genetic testing—they add another layer of early detection.

Our test kits are discreet, physician-reviewed, and easy to use, so you can take action with confidence. Explore our health tests today to take the next step toward proactive wellness.