Improving Cancer Screening Efficiency: Advances in Blood-Based Multi-Cancer Early Detection

Approximately 50,000 incident cancer cases are reported in Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Cancer Registry (VACCR) each year. Utilization of guideline-recommended cancer screening paradigms allows for timely initiation of therapy and superior clinical outcomes for many of these patients. However, only four screening methodologies are guideline-recommended, and patient adherence to regular screening is suboptimal. Cancers responsible for 71% of cancer deaths have no recommended screening methodologies.

Technical advances in next-generation sequencing and machine learning algorithms have transformed our ability to detect cancer-derived cell-free DNA in the blood. Utilization of minimally-invasive blood-based assays that can detect and localize multiple cancers have the potential to dramatically improve the efficiency of cancer detection. This activity will provide an overview of trial data related to the development of a blood-based multi-cancer early detection test.

Target Audiences: Primary care physicians, internists, family practice physicians, and related healthcare professionals involved in the care of people who undergo screening for cancer.

Three Outcomes – what participants will take away from attending the webinar 

• Ability to discuss the need for early screening of various cancer types and the impact on improving patient survival.
• Confidence in a new paradigm for early cancer detection through the convergence of genomics and artificial intelligence/machine learning
• Ability to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of blood tests for cancer detection.