[throwitawayfam]

The comment you've replied to is about the Galleri test by Grail. It tests for early _detection_ of cancer, not likelihood of cancer. Meaning, you _have_ cancer. Knowing you have cancer (hopefully early) is actionable...

[elif]

You would think so, but when I brought the information pamphlet to my GP (who does blood work in office and took 2 vials for other tests at the same visit) and told her I am happy to pay the $1k out of pocket, she took a couple of weeks to research it, but couldn't find a way to prescribe it in the hospital system. Since it is a prestigious research hospital, she even found clinical trials ongoing and tried to get me included but I was too young for any of their subject groups.

2 years later, I still haven't found a way to take this test and have it's results be meaningful to any actionable health outcomes.

I believe the only thing I can do is find a sketchy online doctor willing to prescribe it, and then roll the dice on whether any related testing or care based upon the results would be covered by insurance (my doctors biggest concern)

[blindriver]

You can do this via Galleri web site where a doctor will prescribe it for you.

It's also weird that your doctor would be worried that insurance won't cover the costs of cancer being detected early. Saving money in this situation is not something that is on the top of my mind. Worst case I incur debt and then declare bankruptcy if I survive.

[reaperman]

Insurance unlikely to reimburse you, but its not prohibitively expensive. Some top tier employers like McKinsey cover the costs for employees over the age of 40.

[DanBC]

Without knowing the sensitivity or specificity there's no way of knowing if it's telling you that you definitely do have cancer or just may have cancer.