A blood test that checks for dozens of different cancers?
Multi-cancer early detection tests hold the promise of better outcomes, but it's important to understand their current limitations.
Catching cancer early, long before any symptoms appear, increases the odds of successful treatment. It’s why doctors recommend cancer screening tests that detect colon, breast, cervical, or lung cancer. In recent years, another option has emerged: blood tests that screen for many types of cancer. Known as multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, they offer the potential to detect up to 50 types of cancer from a single blood draw. But before you take one, make sure you understand exactly what these blood tests can and can’t detect.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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