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Peaches LeToure's avatar

Deja vu to PSA, anyone? Just because a test is there does not mean it should be used for widespread screening. And this particular test should not be allowed for general use based on a single study funded by the same people looking to make serious money if the test turns out to be marketable. Hopefully the regulators actually do their job and disallow this test to market without multiple other independent studies (preferably from other countries, totally unaffiliated, with no profit motive) confirming its results.

Repeating studies is not sexy and is not career making. But, isn't this why we have public funding for such research?

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Vincent Sawicki's avatar

Due to the fact that I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis my rheumatologist insisted on follow up studies. After endoscopy, colonoscopy, two MRIs, visits with pulmonology, dermatology and oncology I was told things were fine. However, a much more informed dermatologist at our local medical center, with a veritable encyclopedic knowledge of dermatomyositis, insisted I see an oncologist on the medical center staff. This, rather young, oncologist reviewed all the findings and agreed they revealed nothing to worry about. However, he strongly recommended that I have a Galleri panel performed, which, of course, insurance wouldn’t cover. I followed his advice and the test came back positive for a head and neck cancer. Subsequently, ENT found an HPV associated SCCa on the base of the tongue. (Somewhat ironic since my specialty is oral pathology). After a course of chemo and radiation, PET scan shows no evidence of tumor.

So, while my scientific background compels me to agree with your surmise concerning the accuracy of the test I, for one, am eternally grateful that this young oncologist pushed me to have it done. Skepticism is the chastity belt of the intellect (and thusly science) George Santayana said, but one must be cautious not to allow for rigidity to acceptance of novel ideas. Let’s allow the science to play out. I strongly suspect the Galleri test will become routine in the future.

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