Why is early detection important?
Early detection is key when it comes to bending the cancer mortality curve. In fact, cancers diagnosed in early stages have a 4x higher survival rate over 5 years than cancers diagnosed in later stages.
Physicians currently have access to only a handful of preventative cancer screenings that only detect five kinds of cancer. The Iowa Clinic is excited to be the first healthcare group to offer the Galleri® test, a new innovative multi-cancer early detection test.
The Galleri test can increase your chance of finding a signal associated with cancer early, when used in addition to single cancer screenings.
What is the Galleri Test?
The Galleri test works by analyzing methylation patterns of cell-free DNA in the bloodstream, using next-generation sequencing and machine learning algorithms. The test screens for a cancer signal and predicts the tissue type or organ associated with the signal. These signals are indicative of 50+ cancers, including fast-spreading, aggressive cancers that don’t show symptoms in early stages, such as pancreatic and ovarian.
Who is Galleri recommended for?
The Galleri test is recommended for use in adults with an elevated risk for cancer, such as those aged 50 or older. The Galleri test is intended to detect cancer signal and predict where in the body the cancer signal is located. The Galleri test does not detect all cancers and should be used in addition to routine cancer screening tests recommended by a healthcare provider.
An investment in your health can pay off now and for years to come. If you are interested in the Galleri test, contact your provider via the FollowMyHealth portal, call us at 515.875.9000 or talk with your physician at your next appointment.