The Cancer SIGNAL

In this episode, Robert, a carpenter from the Midlands in England and a participant in the NHS-Galleri trial, joins host Shawnda Madison to share his experience. After enrolling in the trial, Robert received a Cancer Signal Detected result from the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test despite having no symptoms. The initial diagnostic evaluation did not identify cancer, but a subsequen...

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 ident...

In this episode of The Cancer SIGNAL, Nima Nabavizadeh, MD, an associate professor of radiation medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the chief medical officer at the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center (CEDAR) at OHSU, joins host Susanna Quinn to share the results from the groundbreaking GRAIL PATHFINDER 2 clinical trial unveiled at the European Society for Medical...

In this episode of The Cancer SIGNAL, Tad Carper, Senior VP of Communications for the Dallas Cowboys, shares how a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening unexpectedly revealed a cancer signal for head and neck cancer—despite experiencing no symptoms. The test, sponsored for the team's assistant coaches by quarterback Dak Prescott's foundation, Faith Fight Finish, was the first step toward T...

At a semiannual primary care visit, Jack's doctor mentioned multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing. Though Jack wasn't experiencing symptoms, and has no family history of cancer, he decided to take the test. Two Cancer Signal Detected results from MCED screening tests taken six months apart helped his care team determine the necessary diagnostics that confirmed an early-stage cancer diagnosis...

Dr. Patrick McGill was instrumental in introducing Community Health Network to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing and integrating it into routine screenings offered to patients. Dr. McGill is Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Community Health Network, and as a practicing primary care physician he believes strongly in the importance of catching cancer as early as...

How does cancer screening fit into one's longevity goals? Dr. Ummat, a preventative medicine physician dedicated to changing the approach to aging, shares insights on the role of preventative care in maintaining long-term health, why proactive screening matters, and how new technologies like multi-cancer early detection testing can change the way we screen for cancer. Watch the full episode on You...

Dr. Eric Klein, Distinguished Scientist at GRAIL, provides a research update from GRAIL's 2024 findings on multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing, presented at ASCO, ESMO, AACR and more. He explores insights from the first real-world evaluation of repeat multi-cancer early detection testing, data on how multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing is helping cancer survivors by detecting recur...

At their doctor's recommendation, Rich and Staci each took a multi-cancer early detection test during a routine checkup. Despite having no symptoms, Rich received a Cancer Signal Detected result, while Staci, who had a strong family history of cancer, did not. Listen to their story and learn about the impact of early cancer detection. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NKY3lX9PGYs...

Seven in 10 Americans are behind on at least one routine cancer screening. Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, joins Susanna to discuss the critical role of early cancer detection. She addresses the most common misconceptions about cancer screening  and explains the importance of proactive screening, even when no symptoms are present.   Help shape future episodes by taking our survey...

Introducing our new host, Susanna Quinn! Susanna is a cancer survivor, entrepreneur, writer and philanthropist. Diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in 2019, Susanna underwent aggressive treatment and achieved cancer-free status by September of the same year. In this episode, Kim Thiboldeaux, the Cancer SIGNAL's inaugural host, interviews Susanna about her cancer story and passes the torch. ...

Dr. Scout, Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network, discusses how the LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges in cancer screening. Dr. Scout highlights the increased cancer risks due to social factors, like discrimination and medical mistrust, and emphasizes the importance of inclusive healthcare provider training. The National LGBT Cancer Network works to educate both the communit...

Jon Rendina and Dwight Venson of Whitman-Walker, a healthcare center historically focused on the LGBTQ+ community, join us to delve into how LGBTQ+ people and people of color face disparities in cancer incidence. Whitman-Walker, Cancer Support Community, and GRAIL are collaborating on INCLUDE, a study to evaluate multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing's impact within federally qualified healt...

Diverse clinical trials provide more meaningful data to researchers, but too many trials are based around monolithic audience groups. In early disease detection, particularly in conditions like cancer, diversity in clinical trials is especially important. Our guests, Eucharia Borden of the cancer nonprofit Family Reach and Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum, discuss why diver...

After supporting her husband through his shocking cancer experience, Cindy decided to take a multi-cancer early detection test as recommended by her doctor. She was once again shocked when she received a "cancer signal detected" result, leading to a cancer diagnosis. Join us to hear about Cindy's experience with early detection, treatment, and eventual remission, and what she learned along the way...

Join host Kim Thiboldeaux and Krissa Smith, VP of Mission Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, as they continue unraveling how the BRCA gene and other DNA mutations impact hereditary cancer risk. In this episode, Krissa shares personal stories about her family's experiences with genetic testing and how they've chosen to respond. Krissa also discusses cancer screening best practices and how multi-cancer...

Krissa Smith, Vice President of Mission Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, joins us to discuss the complexities of the BRCA gene and its impact on hereditary cancer risk. Krissa shares her family's experiences with genetic mutations, including the p53 gene, and explains the importance of genetic testing and how it can work in partnership with evolving cancer screening technology. Stay tuned for part...

Meet Tami, manager of a Christmas tree farm in rural Oregon. Cancer has had a profound impact on Tami's life, from her grandmother's diagnosis more than 30 years ago to her own 2017 diagnosis to her participation in the PATHFINDER study. Tami shares what she's learned about cancer and the importance of proactive screening, including her own experiences with multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test...

In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, cancer screening has changed, necessitating inventive strategies. Epidemiologists  Dr. Alpa Patel (Senior Vice President of Population Science, American Cancer Society) and Dr. Tina Clarke (Vice President of Epidemiology and Distinguished Scientist, GRAIL) return to The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss how the pandemic changed access to cancer screening, the...

What did researchers learn when they studied a multi-cancer early detection test in a population of more than 6,000 patients? The PATHFINDER study, recently published in The Lancet, explored that question and produced useful insights. Dr. Chuck McDonnell, a radiologist with Sutter Medical Group and principal investigator for PATHFINDER, joins this episode to discuss how the study worked, highlight...

The American Indian Cancer Foundation is on a mission to eliminate the cancer burdens of Indigenous people through improved access to prevention, early detection, treatment and survivor support. Melissa Buffalo, CEO of the Foundation, discusses the cancer burden faced by Native Americans and what her Foundation is doing to reduce disparities in care. Transcripts available at https://grail.com/podc...

When Roger received a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, an aggressive, fast-growing and often deadly cancer, one doctor called him "lucky," since Roger's cancer was found at an early stage and before he showed any symptoms. Roger had been screened with a multi-cancer early detection test as part of his efforts to take care of his health. Learn more about Roger's story and hear how he is do...

Lynch syndrome is an inherited disorder associated with many different cancers including ovarian, uterine, pancreatic and, most commonly, colorectal. It is estimated that about one in 279 people are Lynch syndrome carriers, or about 1 million people in the U.S. Dr. Jordan Karlitz, Senior Medical Director at GRAIL, and Robin Dubin, Executive Director and Co-founder of AliveandKick'n – a patient adv...

When it comes to cancer, there are many types of tests that can provide critical information–tests that can determine one's risk of getting cancer, tests that screen for the presence of cancer, and tests that assess mutations or specific characteristics of a person's cancer to inform treatment paths. Dr. Eric Klein, Distinguished Scientist at GRAIL, joins The Cancer SIGNAL to discuss the different...

Despite significant progress in cancer care, critical health disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes still exist. Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum, joins The Cancer SIGNAL to share his thoughts on improving diversity in clinical trials, the impact of health disparities on cancer outcomes, and why we need to move quickly to expand early cancer detecti...