Cancer seems to run in my family. Numerous family members have died from cancer, while a few others have caught it in the early stages. Late last year I noticed an advertisement on Facebook for a blood test that looks for biomarkers of numerous cancers. The firm was having a 25% off end-of-year sale, so I ordered it. An insulated box arrived by FedEx. I then had my blood drawn at a local lab, which sent my sample to the testing center. I was notified of the results a week later. I have a 99.5% probability of being cancer free in the next 12 months.
I get routine blood testing every year whether I see my doctor or not. Usually in December Walk-in Lab has a 20% off sale on lab tests. I generally order Wellness #3 Extreme Blood and Urine Test Panel. The firm archives the results in my account so I can go back and review them later. When I see my doctor, I always bring along my results for their records.
Your blood is a big tattletale. Blood left at a crime scene reveals your identity, and who your relatives are. It tells how well your body is working compared to others. If you drink too much or eat unhealthy foods, your doctor probably knows from your cholesterol and liver enzymes. Your blood can reveal that you are likely to have cancer, or that you are at elevated risk of getting cancer or heart disease in the future. Your blood can provide hints about the genetic diseases you may develop in later years. It may tell how fast you are aging, and whether you have or are likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
The Wall Street Journal reports on the trend:
A wave of cutting-edge diagnostic tests can now identify diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s at much earlier stages, sometimes long before symptoms appear, as well as manage chronic disease and tailor treatments to individual patients. And new data derived from blood can help tailor treatments to individual patients.
The new blood tests are backed by rigorous research, large clinical trials and collaborations with academic medical institutions—a long way from the false promises of decade ago, when blood-testing startup Theranos made fraudulent claims of instant diagnostics.
There are advanced tests for single cancers, such as colorectal, and tests that look for DMA fragments and biomarkers for numerous cancers. These are sometimes referred to as liquid biopsies. The test that I used had a disclaimer that its technology is not diagnostic. It was not clear what that actually meant, although had the test indicated I had a high number of biomarkers I would still have needed to obtain a confirmation through more traditional diagnostic tests. More from WSJ:
Researchers continue to develop blood tests that can detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease, provide earlier insights into autoimmune diseases, monitor the health of organ transplants and help diagnose respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
Medicare, Medicaid and health insurers do not yet reimburse for many of these tests, although that may change in the future. Some are not FDA approved but that does not prevent their use for entertainment purposes. FDA clearance will pressure more health plans and Medicare to cover the cost. For now, patients must pay out of pocket. That is not a bad thing. The reason my test was discounted to around $299 plus shipping is because the developers could not force my insurance to pay $1,000 or more. Firms whose tests are covered by insurance are unlikely to offer tests direct to consumers at low prices, lest third-party payers demand the same discount. Furthermore, my test was discounted at yearend to entice people to part with unspent FSA funds before the window closed. Consumers are price sensitive. They have a choice whether to buy a test or numerous other goods.
The future of diagnostic blood testing is bright and getting brighter. Let us hope that third-party reimbursement does not get in the way of consumers’ cheap, convenient access to care.