New Blood Tests for Multiple Cancers Gain Political Support
WASHINGTON — New blood tests capable of detecting dozens of early-stage cancers are entering the market, prompting growing political and economic support for their broader use, according to advocates and lawmakers.
These multi-cancer early detection tests, or MCEDs, have generated excitement since 2021, when GRAIL, a California-based medical technology company, introduced Galleri. The test claims to detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear, potentially allowing for earlier and more effective treatment.
Another MCED product, Cancerguard, developed by Exact Sciences of Madison, Wisconsin, was launched in September and is currently being marketed nationally. Like Galleri, Cancerguard is designed to detect 50 cancer types and subtypes, including some of the deadliest such as pancreatic, ovarian, liver, esophageal, lung, and stomach cancers.
Although these tests have not yet received Food and Drug Administration approval, they are available commercially as laboratory-developed tests. This designation allows tests that provide accurate diagnoses for conditions lacking other options to enter the market. However, the tests are costly and not covered by insurance; Cancerguard is priced at $689 per test, limiting access to those who can afford the out-of-pocket expense.
Despite these challenges, momentum is building to integrate MCEDs into mainstream medical practice. Healthcare companies, patient advocates, and bipartisan groups of U.S. lawmakers are pushing for Medicare coverage of these tests once they receive FDA approval.
A key legislative effort is the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which has garnered support from 400 co-sponsors and passed the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously. The bill is named after Rep. Terri Sewell’s late mother, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2021. Sewell described the bill as having strong bipartisan momentum.
The bill’s progress follows advocacy from hundreds of cancer groups that have urged Congress to improve cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and patient support. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is among the most active supporters. Its CEO, Jody Hoyas, noted that lawmakers understand the potential costs of expanding screening but recognize the importance of early detection.
“It’s a big deal to have that understanding of why expanding our abilities to screen is important, particularly when obviously there’s a price tag attached to it,” Hoyas said. She added that the bill has passed both House and Senate committees and is awaiting inclusion in a spending package, though the timing remains uncertain amid ongoing healthcare negotiations.
Hoyas emphasized the need for Medicare coverage given that age is the biggest risk factor for cancer and that current routine screenings cover only five cancer types. Approximately 70% of cancer cases involve types without existing screening methods, she said. Early detection can lead to less invasive treatment and better outcomes, which may reduce overall costs.
Meanwhile, the healthcare industry is investing heavily in MCED technology. In a $21 billion deal, Abbott Laboratories acquired Exact Sciences shortly after the launch of Cancerguard, aiming to strengthen its position in cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics.
Exact Sciences is known for its Cologuard test, which non-invasively detects colorectal cancer. Cancerguard uses similar liquid biopsy technology to detect DNA associated with tumors in the bloodstream. In development studies, Cancerguard demonstrated 68% sensitivity across six deadly cancers and 64% overall sensitivity excluding breast and prostate cancers. It also showed high specificity at 97.4%, reducing false positives.
Modeling by Exact Sciences suggests that combining Cancerguard with current screening methods could reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses by 42% and lower cancer-related mortality by 18% over ten years. Dr. Tom Beer, Exact Sciences’ chief medical officer for multi-cancer early detection, highlighted the need for expanded screening options, noting that nearly 70% of cancer diagnoses and deaths are from cancers without recommended screening.
As these tests become more widely available, advocates and lawmakers continue to push for policies that would make early cancer detection more accessible, particularly for the Medicare population.
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