At Inspired Health Group, we're always on the lookout for innovative ways to help our patients feel their best and be empowered with knowledge about their health and wellbeing. That's why we're proud to offer some cutting-edge evaluation options, like multi-cancer screening and genetic testing! With two different tests available, we're here to help our patients identify current cancer signs and their risk of developing cancer. 

Multi-cancer screening and genetic testing options at IHG:

A multi-cancer early detection test called Galleri from GRAIL 
A Hereditary Cancer Risk/Germline test called MyRisk from Myriad Genetics 

What are the differences between the tests? 

Galleri tells patients and providers if there is a signal of cancer present today. MyRisk tells patients their risk of developing cancer based upon their hereditary genetic markers. 

Detect current cancer signals with Galleri 

With a single blood test, Galleri screens for a signal shared by multiple cancers that would otherwise go unnoticed. If a cancer signal is detected, Galleri predicts the tissue type or organ associated with the cancer signal with 88% accuracy to help guide follow-up diagnostic testing, which may include lab work or imaging to confirm cancer. The Galleri test checks more than 100,000 DNA regions and over a million specific DNA sites to screen for a signal shared by many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic. The testing can sometimes pick up cancer cells months before any imaging can. 

Listed below are the 50 + cancer types detected by the Galleri test in a clinical study… 

• A = Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma, Ampulla of Vater, Anus, Appendix, Carcinoma 
• B = Bile Ducts, Distal, Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic, Bile Ducts, Perihilar, Bladder, Urinary, Bone, Breast 
• C = Cervix, Colon, and Rectum 
• E = Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction 
• G = Gallbladder, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms 
• K = Kidney 
• L = Larynx, Leukemia, Liver, Lung, Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) 
• M = Melanoma of the Skin, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural 
• N = Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses Nasopharynx, Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Appendix, Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Colon and Rectum, Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas 
• O = Oral Cavity, Oropharynx (HPV-Mediated, p16+), Oropharynx (p16-) and Hypopharynx, Ovary, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneum 
• P = Pancreas, exocrine, Penis, Plasma Cell Myeloma and Plasma Cell Disorders, Prostate 
• S = Small Intestine, Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Abdomen and Thoracic Visceral Organs, Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Head and Neck, Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Retroperitoneum, Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Trunk, and Extremities, Soft Tissue Sarcoma Unusual Histologies 
  and Sites, Stomach 
• T = Testis 
• U = Ureter, Renal Pelvis, Uterus Carcinoma and Carcinosarcoma, Uterus Sarcoma 
• V = Vagina, Vulva 

Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer. In fact, adults over age 50 are 13 times more likely to have cancer compared to people under the age of 50.  The Galleri test is recommended for use in adults with an elevated risk for cancer, such as those aged 50 or older. It is intended to be used in addition to and not replace other cancer screening tests your healthcare provider recommends. 

Learn about your risk of developing cancer with MyRisk 

Myriad Genetics has over 30 years of commitment to patients with its variant classification program, with over 60,000 amended reports with updated classifications sent out between 2006-2016. Myriad provides easy-to-use resources that seamlessly integrates genetic testing into your care plan with your primary care provider. For patients with a personal or family history of cancer, genetic testing for cancer risk can help you understand your individual risk, allowing you and your provider to make informed healthcare decisions. 
MyRisk’s multi-gene panel analyzes risk for 11 cancers to determine if a patient has a germline genetic mutation associated with an increased cancer risk.  MyRisk germline testing assesses more than 48 genes linked to one or more of 11 cancer sites.  The results will list specific mutations found, including variants of uncertain significance (VUS).  

The 11 cancers that MyRisk tests for are … 

• Breast Cancer 
• Ovarian Cancer 
• Prostate Cancer 
• Pancreatic Cancer 
• Uterine Cancer 
• Colorectal Cancer 
• Skin Cancer 
• Gastric Cancer 
• Renal Cancer 
• Lung Cancer 
• Endocrine Cancer 

Knowing if you are at higher risk for cancer allows you to make potentially life-saving medical decisions and lifestyle changes. You and your healthcare provider as well as Myriad’s genetic counselors can work together to create a personalized plan to possibly reduce your risk of developing cancer or increase the likelihood of finding cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage. And if you are diagnosed with cancer, MyRisk helps patients and providers obtain clarity to determine the best surgical and treatment options in 14 days (about 2 weeks) or less. 

FAQ: 

How accurate are the multi-cancer screening and genetic tests?

Galleri is 99.5 % specific.  Which means the risk of a false negative test result is very low.  The sensitivity rates will depend on the type of cancers that are tested according to The PATHFINDER Study. 
 
MyRisk is 99.99 % specific with an error rate of less than 1%.  The sensitivity rates for the cancer mutation variants tested were greater than 99% according to a Key Evaluation Study.

How do I get multi-cancer screening and genetic testing done? 

If you are interested in our multi-cancer screening and genetic testing options, please message your care team via your patient portal or talk to your provider during your next visit to our office. 
 

Are any of these tests covered by my insurance?  

GRAIL’s Galleri test is not covered by any medical insurance company or plan.    
In most cases, Myriad’s MyRisk test is covered by insurance. Patients will know if they have an out-of-pocket expense before their sample is processed, which they can then accept or decline. 

What is the cost of the test?  

The price for Galleri is typically $959.99 but is $749.99 for Inspired Health Group patients.  Patients can utilize their Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account to pay for this test.  Additionally, Galleri does offer a payment plan of $79.00 a month, until the $749.99 balance is paid.  
 
MyRisk, if denied by insurance, will cost patients $250.00 maximum.  Patients can also utilize their HSA or FSA to pay for this test.    
 

What has IHG’s experience with these tests been? 

In both types of testing, for the first time, IHG can identify cancers that we have never been able to do before and or patients that may be at risk of developing cancers. Adding these options to patients’ care plans has allowed us to provide preventative and life-saving management and care with early detection. 

Related Reading:

Galleri Early Detection Cancer Test