The Caris Answer

There has been a lot of discussion lately concerning the value of diagnostic screening for cancer, especially the PSA test for prostate and mammography for breast cancer. In March, the New York Times quoted Richard Albin, Ph.D. calling the PSA test a "hugely expensive public health disaster." At an annual cost of over US$3 billion, he's right. The test is based on his discovery, and even he says it's "hardly more effective than a coin toss." And mammography -- considered an annual ritual for women over 40 -- caused quite a media stir late last year when the United States Preventive Service Task Force stated the test should now not be undertaken until age 50.

These debates center on the value of such screens to general public health as opposed to the value to the individual patient.  Meaning, do these screening tests contribute to a considerable number of lives saved or longer lives? And if so, at what cost?   If you were a man with prostate cancer or a woman with breast cancer, wouldn't you want to know that you have it regardless of the overall value from a health policy perspective?
 
So, the issue is not whether there is value to screening for early detection of cancer.  It's widely known that early detection can save lives that might otherwise be lost if the cancer is not detected until later stages.  The actual issue is the need for highly accurate diagnostics for cancer detection and monitoring.  Simply put, we need better tests.

Here at Caris, we are aware of this critical need and have been working hard on a new blood-based technology that will do just that - provide highly accurate early diagnosis of multiple forms of cancer - and all from a simple blood test!  We have been working diligently on this technology and are actively engaged with some of the finest medical institutions in the world to further validate it, so that we can bring these important diagnostic tests to patients who desperately need them as soon as possible. 
 
We couldn't be more excited about this transformative technology and the benefit that it will bring to patients around the globe.  But the benefit goes beyond early detection and monitoring of cancer.  We believe that we will be able to tell - again, with very high levels of accuracy - what stage the cancer is in and whether it's an aggressive form or a not so aggressive form.  And we believe that when patients and their physicians know a cancer's stage and nature, treatment can be customized to optimize both survival rates AND healthcare costs.   

We further believe that we will be able to validate our new technology's ability to determine whether or not a patient is responding to a specific drug or other treatment option very early.  This will demonstrate to the physician, in the early stages of disease, which treatment options are working and which are not - facilitating personalized treatment for the patient. 

We will begin launching the first in a series of tests utilizing this innovative technological platform later this year after we conclude our expanded validation efforts.  I just wanted to give you a heads up that new and exciting things are coming down the pike that will change the way medicine is practiced.  AND Caris will be at the very center, so stay tuned!