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NFL Ad's Cancer Test: More Risk Than Relief?
7 Feb
Summary
- New blood test detects over 50 cancers but has questionable reliability.
- The test may give a false sense of security, experts warn.
- Hims & Hers offers the test for $1050, with a discount.
A new cancer detection blood test, Galleri, is being promoted to a wide audience, including NFL viewers, through Hims & Hers. This test aims to detect over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear, but its reliability is questioned by medical experts.
The Galleri test analyzes DNA fragments in the blood and can identify the origin of a potential cancer signal. Hims & Hers offers this prescription test as part of a $350 lab testing service, with an additional $700 cost, providing a roughly 25 percent discount from the manufacturer's price.
Experts like Eric Topol highlight that the test is not always reliable on its own, having missed cases in clinical trials. He warns that individuals receiving a "negative, no cancer detected" result might forgo further necessary medical checks.
The test's manufacturer, Grail, states that Galleri is recommended for adults with an elevated risk of cancer, particularly those aged 50 and older. However, Hims & Hers intends to make the prescription available without strict limitations, acknowledging that some cancers can occur earlier.
Grail is seeking FDA approval for Galleri under its most stringent regulatory category. While the test has been sold since 2021, it has not yet been cleared by the FDA as safe and effective, a prerequisite for insurance coverage.
