BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital will hold testing for a new cancer screening in partnership with GRAIL, LLC through the WVU Cancer Institute and WVU Medicine.
Through a simple blood draw, screening can be done for more than 50 types of cancer with a new, groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test called Galleri. The test is being given as part of the larger clinical real-world evidence study known as REFLECTION.
“The WVU Cancer Institute is excited to participate in the REFLECTION study,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., director of the WVU Cancer Institute and co-investigator on the study, said. “Our hope is that we will, over time, improve access to life-saving cancer screening beyond the five current cancers for which we screen.”
“By participating in REFLECTION,” Dr. Hazard-Jenkins said, “we will provide real-world data as to the ability to use an MCED mechanism for the detection of up to 50 types of cancer to reduce the cancer mortality in our state and region.”
REFLECTION seeks to enroll approximately 35,000 healthy participants from a diverse array of clinical settings across North America. Of those, 1,000 will come from select WVU Medicine Primary Care locations around the state.
The study’s goal is to assess the perception and performance of the Galleri test among both providers and patients as part of routine medical care. Of the more than 50 types of cancers for which the test screens, 45 currently lack any recommended screening tests. Additionally, the Galleri test can also help determine where in the body a cancer may be located, which can help guide diagnostic follow-up. Previous results indicate that the test has a low false positivity rate of less than 1 percent.
The test is being provided in addition to, and not in place of, current recommended cancer screenings. All participants should continue to follow current screening recommendations given by their provider. Participants must be 22 years or older, receive care through a participating WVU Medicine Primary Care location, not be pregnant and not undergoing active cancer treatment to participate in the study.
Testing in Buckhannon will be provided at the clinic of Dr. Victoria Strick located in Building C at 94 West Main Street.
“Our hope is by bringing this testing to our rural location, we can help expand access of care to our community,” said Dr. Strick. “We are excited to be a part of groundbreaking research that will impact lives for year to come.”
Testing will be held on Thursday, May 23 and is offered free of charge. For more information or to make an appointment call 304-473-2305.
For more information on WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org. For more information on the WVU Cancer Institute, visit WVUMedicine.org/Cancer.
