Testing Blood for Cancer

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests have the potential to increase early detection rates of some cancers, improving survivability and reducing costs. However, there are concerns about their ability to detect cancers at early stages and the specific cancer site of origin. A Swiss Re Institute report examines the effectiveness of eight MCED tests and highlights significant differences in their ability to detect specific cancers. MCED tests are still in the early stages of development and more real-world studies are needed to validate their efficacy. The report also discusses the implications of widespread adoption of MCED tests for insurers and the need for risk assessments.