Imagine spending only $99 to receive a suggestive diagnosis that could change your life. Arizona-based Global Cancer Diagnostics Inc. is now offering a blood test that allows for early detection of lung cancer in current and former smokers. According to the company’s website, The Lung Cancer Test is 92% Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) accurate in predicting lung cancer.
“We believe this test will change the way that lung cancer is detected and can potentially save thousands of lives,” said Global Cancer CEO William Gartner, in a news release.
The test was launched onto the market on October 20, 2014. By this time, Global Cancer had submitted proof of completing all required clinical validation studies, and all studies showed excellent results. Global Cancer will eventually offer the test nationwide but is starting with 26 states. Alternatively, the test is available in all states by a doctor’s prescription and costs only $99 without shipping and handling.
The test uses biomarkers shown to be present in the early stages of lung cancer. “A screening test for early stage lung cancer is a goal long sought in the industry,” commented Gartner. The screening test showed a high degree of accuracy in clinical trials for patients with Stage 1 and Stage 2 lung cancer.
First, a patient or doctor fills out the “Order the Test” form on the company’s website. Then, the company ships the test with full instructions. After, a patient visits a blood draw location (whether or not a physician’s order is required depends on the state) and sends the sample overnight to the company’s certified laboratory run by Dr. Patricia Baker, PhD, for analysis. Finally, either the patient or physician (again, depending on the state) receives the results of the analysis.
Important to note is this will not diagnose a patient with lung cancer. Merely, the test analyzes blood for biomarkers that are associated with Stage 1 or Stage 2 lung cancer. No positive or negative diagnoses can be made until a patient is thoroughly checked by his or her physician.
