2 in 5 of us will develop cancer. Your awareness and actions can help save your life.
5 things you need to know about MCED tests
1. How do they work? MCED tests look at your blood sample for cancer cells with the aim of identifying cancer before symptoms appear.
2. Can they find any type of cancer early? The short answer is no, and results vary by cancer stage (or how advanced your cancer is). MCED tests screen for multiple cancer types; however, depending on the test, only up to 50 of the 200+ types of cancer can be detected.
3. How accurate are they? Accuracy varies by cancer type, stage and test. False positives and false negatives happen. Positive results must be confirmed with additional diagnostic tests.
4. What’s the Availability and Cost? MCED tests are not FDA-approved and are not available in all healthcare settings. They can be expensive and likely not covered by insurance.
5. Should I get an MCED test? The answer varies, so you should talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons. It is very important to know that these tests are not a replacement for recommended screenings and your own health awareness.
