Description

What if a simple blood test could detect cancer early enough to save lives?

In today’s Medicine for Good episode, Beyond the Signal, we delve into the inspiring and hopeful story of Roger Royse, a Silicon Valley startup lawyer diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Unlike many others, Roger’s cancer was detected early thanks to a groundbreaking Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test, Galleri by GRAIL. While 70% of cancers do not have standard screening options, Roger's proactive approach highlights the power of these new diagnostic tools, particularly for elusive cancers like pancreatic cancer, which often go undetected until it's too late.

Roger shares his emotional journey—from the initial shock of the diagnosis to his aggressive chemotherapy regimen and the experimental cancer vaccine that led him to remission. His resilience is evident as he recounts his determination to seek out life-saving technologies, even when faced with medical roadblocks.

Despite having no symptoms, Roger's decision to pursue the MCED test was pivotal in catching the disease early. He challenges the outdated notion that cancer screening should only be done when symptoms arise.

In this episode, we also touch on the broader implications of multi-cancer detection technology. Early detection through blood tests could revolutionize cancer care, reducing late-stage diagnoses and improving patient outcomes. Roger’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about advocacy. He’s now using his platform to promote the importance of being proactive about health, even when you feel healthy. For him, the key takeaway is clear: Early detection saves lives.

Join us as we explore the future of cancer detection, the human side of a high-tech medical breakthrough, and how a simple blood test gave Roger a second chance at life.

Mentioned in the Show:

1. Galleri Test by GRAIL: Roger took the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, which played a crucial role in detecting his stage 2 pancreatic cancer early. This test screens for multiple types of cancer from a single blood sample. You can learn more about the Galleri test on their official website here​.
2. Prenuvo MRI: After receiving the cancer signal from the Galleri test, Roger quickly arranged for a private MRI scan with Prenuvo, a company that offers advanced full-body MRI scans. Prenuvo provides detailed insights into health status, including cancer detection. More details about Prenuvo can be found on their official website here​.
3. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): Roger is actively involved with PanCAN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. PanCAN raises funds for research and advocates for legislation to improve early detection and treatment. More information about PanCAN can be found here.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.