31 – When a Firefighter's Cancer Is Detected Early

Kevin McFarland, a lieutenant with his local fire department, and Dr. Robert Merritt, a thoracic surgeon who helped diagnose and treat Kevin, share how the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test unexpectedly revealed that Kevin had a signal for esophageal cancer—despite having no symptoms. The test, offered by the fire department where Kevin works, led to further medical exams that identified his specific type of cancer. Kevin reflects on the emotional, mental, and physical impact of his diagnosis and treatment, the importance of early detection, and how the experience renewed his appreciation for his health and family and gave him "a new lease on life." Dr. Merritt credits the Galleri test and early detection for Kevin's positive prognosis and recovery. Their story highlights the critical role of accessibility, awareness, and advocacy in cancer detection.   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVOJXdWUkCo  Help shape future episodes by taking our survey: https://bit.ly/3sQkbrN  Transcripts: https://grail.com/podcast/  Sign up for GRAIL's newsletter: https://grail.com/newsletter-signup/    The Galleri test does not detect a signal for all cancers. Not all cancers can be detected in the blood. False positive and false negative results do occur. Galleri is a screening test and does not diagnose cancer. Diagnostic testing is needed to confirm cancer. The Galleri test should be used in addition to healthcare provider recommended screening tests.    See Important Safety Information: http://bit.ly/33m8pFa    The overall sensitivity in study participants with esophageal cancer was 85.0% (12.5% for stage I, 64.7% stage II, 94.1% stage III, 100% stage IV).   Based on a clinical study of people ages 50 to 79, around 1% are expected to receive a Cancer Signal Detected result. After diagnostic evaluation, around 40% of these people are expected to have a confirmed cancer diagnosis.