What Is the Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test?
The Galleri test represents a groundbreaking approach to cancer screening. Developed by GRAIL, this blood-based test can detect a signal shared by more than 50 types of cancer, many of which have no standard screening method today. Using a technology called cell-free DNA methylation analysis, the Galleri test identifies patterns in DNA fragments circulating in your blood that are associated with cancer. At TrufaMED in Surfside, FL, we offer the Galleri test as part of our advanced preventive health services for patients throughout the Miami area.
How the Galleri Test Works
The Galleri test requires only a simple blood draw, which is performed at our Surfside clinic during a brief office visit. The sample is sent to a certified laboratory where advanced genomic sequencing technology analyzes cell-free DNA in your blood for methylation patterns associated with cancer. The analysis can identify whether a cancer signal is detected and, if so, predict where in the body the cancer may be located. Results are typically available within approximately two weeks.
Which Cancers Does Galleri Screen For?
The Galleri test screens for a signal shared by more than 50 cancer types, including many that currently lack standard screening tests. While traditional cancer screening covers breast cancer through mammography, colon cancer through colonoscopy, cervical cancer through Pap smears, and lung cancer through low-dose CT for high-risk individuals, there are no standard screening tests for cancers of the pancreas, liver, stomach, kidney, ovary, and many other organs. The Galleri test fills this gap by providing a screening method for cancers that might otherwise go undetected until symptoms appear, when the disease may be more advanced.
Who Should Consider the Galleri Test?
The Galleri test is recommended as a complement to, not a replacement for, standard cancer screenings. It is particularly relevant for adults age 50 and older, who have the highest cancer incidence rates. Individuals with elevated cancer risk due to family history, prior cancer diagnosis, or environmental exposures may also benefit from adding the Galleri test to their screening routine. Some proactive patients in their 40s who want the most comprehensive cancer screening available choose to include the Galleri test in their annual health assessment.
How Much Does the Galleri Test Cost?
The Galleri test is not currently covered by most insurance plans, as it is classified as a laboratory-developed test that is still building the clinical evidence base for insurance coverage decisions. The out-of-pocket cost for the Galleri test is typically $949 charged directly by GRAIL. TrufaMED does not add a markup to the test cost. The office visit for the blood draw and results consultation is billed separately at our standard visit rates. For concierge members, the office visit is included in your membership.
Understanding Your Results
A negative Galleri result, which is called “no cancer signal detected,” means the test did not identify methylation patterns associated with cancer in your blood sample. This is encouraging but does not guarantee you are cancer-free, as no screening test is 100% sensitive. A positive result, “cancer signal detected,” means the test found a pattern that warrants further evaluation. Your TrufaMED physician will discuss next steps, which typically include additional imaging studies and specialist referrals to confirm or rule out the finding.
The Galleri test has a very low false positive rate, meaning that when it detects a signal, there is a high probability that further evaluation will confirm a finding. This specificity reduces the anxiety and unnecessary procedures associated with false positives from other screening methods.
Learn more about the Galleri test at TrufaMED or call (305) 537-6396 to schedule your screening. Located at 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154.