Imagine a simple blood test that could screen for more than 50 different cancers before symptoms even appear. Thanks to new advances in medical technology, that possibility is becoming reality.

First introduced in 2021, the Galleri test is part of a new wave of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tools. Unlike traditional screenings, which look for just one cancer at a time—like mammograms for breast cancer or colonoscopies for colorectal cancer—MCEDs can check for many cancers at once.

At the Naples Center for Functional Medicine, the Galleri test and the Research Genetics Cancer Center (RGCC) test are being used to spot cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is usually more successful. This is especially important because nearly half of all cancers diagnosed each year don’t have a recommended screening test at all. By the time they’re discovered, many of these cancers are already harder to treat.

The MCED tests analyze a blood sample for tiny fragments of DNA, RNA, and proteins that cancer cells release into the bloodstream. This process, known as shedding, can also occur in saliva, urine, or other fluids, depending on the type of cancer. Detecting these markers early gives doctors a powerful new tool to identify cancers sooner and less invasively.

While MCEDs are not yet FDA-approved or part of standard screening guidelines, doctors can still order them through certified labs. Experts suggest annual testing for adults at higher risk—such as those with a family history of cancer, genetic predisposition, lifestyle or environmental risks, or previous cancer diagnoses—as well as older adults and individuals without access to full screening programs.

Research shows the promise is real. A Johns Hopkins study published in Cancer Discovery found that cancer signals could be detected in blood up to three years before a clinical diagnosis. “Three years earlier provides time for intervention,” explains Dr. Yuxuan, an oncology professor at Johns Hopkins. “The tumors are likely to be much less advanced and more likely to be curable.”

Momentum is also building on the policy side. The American Cancer Society is backing the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which would help ensure Medicare patients have access to these tests once they’re FDA-approved.

A statement made by Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, sums it up this way:

“The evidence overwhelmingly supports that detecting cancer earlier can be the difference between life and death. When cancer is detected at an earlier stage, it is often easier and less costly to treat, and patients are more likely to survive. We also know that the risk of developing cancer increases with age, as do the odds of developing an invasive form of cancer. According to data recently released by the American Cancer Society, in 2025, more than 2 million people in America are expected to be diagnosed with cancer, and over one million of those cases are expected to be in individuals over the age of 65.”

It’s important to remember that MCEDs are meant to complement—not replace—recommended screenings like mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies, and prostate or lung screenings. But as research continues, these new blood tests could transform how we find and fight cancer in the years ahead.

Lina Sakr, MD is a board-certified internal medicine physician with over 38 years of experience. She specializes in metabolic and nutritional medicine, anti-aging medicine, and women’s health. Naples Center for Functional Medicine is located at 1265 Creekside Pkwy., Ste. 200, in Naples. For more information call 239-649-7400. Visit NaplesCfm.com.

Naples Center for Functional Medicine - 800 Goodlette Rd Ste 270, Naples, FL

Dr. Lindsey Berkson MA, DC, CNS, DACBN, CAN is a hormone scholar and functional medicine specialist focusing on hormones, anti-aging and medical nutrition at Naples Center for Functional ... Read More »