I had my annual physical the other day. My results were very good. I always hold my breath when I’m about to look at my CBC because if my cancer returned – it would show up here. My WBC count was 7.0. Good percentages of all the subtypes. No immature or abnormal cells. Platelets strong at 186. My hemoglobin was a slight bit high but that was due to this being a first thing in the morning fasting test so I was a little dehydrated. When I get blood drawn during the middle of the day its always in range. My Vitamin D Level was 89. Probably the biggest physical issue for me to work on is to continue to build leg strength and muscle mass, which took a hit last year after fracturing my femur. Then there’s my health anxiety due to having serious cancer, worrying about recurrence, having part of my immune system destroyed due to the chemotherapy that saved me, and what other fallout I could have because of all of this. It’s a heavy burden to walk around with every day. One that I fight hard to push through.
After getting a great report, as I’m ready to leave, my PCP talks to me about a fairly new test called Galleri. It is what they call a “liquid biopsy” which is a term for a blood test that can detect cancer. Galleri tests for 50 different types of cancer and can tell you the origin. It finds DNA given off by cancer cells, which is different than the DNA of “normal” cells. By doing a simple blood draw, in 2 weeks you can find out of you have cancer somewhere in your body possibly years before it could be detected in some other way. Certain cancers like ovarian and pancreatic are usually not detected until later stages. This test could detect those and many others before you know you have it which could be lifesaving. Early detection saves lives.
My doctor suggests this test for me. He says that I am a “good” candidate due to my previous history of lymphoma. Cancer cells can travel to other places and hide and years later become active, somewhere else. So about that health anxiety that I work very hard at trying to control….
The logical rational side of me says this is great for not only me but for everyone. Imagine finding cancer when it is at its very smallest level and knocking it out quickly before there’s any damage or spread. It can really be the difference between life and death. How is this test not a Godsend for people with a family history?
Then there’s the emotional side of doing this test. If you’ve even been told the words “you have cancer” – it’s one of THE most horrifying and earth-shattering things you will hear. And when a doctor tells you it’s stage 4 it descends even further into Hell. And worst of all – is finding out, after you’ve been in a remission for many years that your cancer has returned. Thinking about this send waves of nausea through me.
There are false positives and false negatives of course like with most medical tests. There is a chance that cancer would be detected but further testing may not be able to see evidence of it. Now you are watching and waiting which becomes the major theme of your life. Tests, anxious doctor visits periodically – been there done that already. I’m trying to move out of this phase with oncology visits once a year now.
There is also the question of if you have had a previous diagnosis and treatment of cancer – will results show up anyway – will there still be remnants of cancer DNA “floating around”? And if so I could just ignore these and see if a secondary cancer shows up? I am waiting for an answer from the company on this issue.
I don’t know what to do. My PCP says he will respect whatever decision I make. There’s no hurry. Most logical and rational people (and I am usually one of those) would jump at the chance to take this test. Logical and rational thinking goes out the door when you’ve had a previously devastating cancer diagnosis but with successful treatment. I could wait and ask my oncologist in March to see what he says – and I have the feeling he would say “why don’t we do a PET scan?” He’s been trying to get me to do one for 7 years now!
I am thinking it over. It takes two weeks to get the results back so if I did the test I’d wait until January/February. I take another “liquid biopsy” in February for my annual visit in March. I will call over to my oncologist’s office to discuss what they will be evaluating and how it relates to this Galleri test. If what they do does not show the presence of other cancers then I will probably go ahead with this test.
Imagine the feeling of being told you have a secondary cancer. The cruel irony of beating one cancer and now another one dares to show up. Now imagine the feeling when you are told “no cancer detected”. That is also a real possibility. How absolutely and completely freeing those words are. If you’ve ever had cancer and then heard those words, or even if you’ve had a cancer scare, you understand this.
To be continued….
If you are interested in the Galleri test or know someone who would benefit – check it out and talk to your doctor.
Wishing you good heath and a great life-
Sheryl
