Podcast: Implementing MCED Testing in Clinical Practice Through Case Studies - Module 3

STATEMENT OF NEED
Approximately 2 million new cancer cases are expected in the United States in 2024, with an anticipated 611,720 deaths (ACS, 2024). Screening is associated with earlier stage at diagnosis and improved outcomes (Kim et al, 2011; Plumb et al, 2016). However, cancers that are not routinely screened for account for 78% of all cancer deaths in the United States (ACS, 2024; Pinsky & Berg, 2012; USPSTF, 2024). Multicancer early detection (MCED) is a novel form of blood-based cancer screening testing that can screen for multiple cancers simultaneously (ACS, 2024). Numerous questions need to be addressed as MCED is incorporated into practice, such as determining cost and insurance coverage, identifying individuals who are suitable candidates, and counseling patients regarding testing options, results, and next steps after receiving a positive or negative result (Kim et al, 2022; Chambers et al, 2023). In Module 3 of this podcast, Dr. Charles Vega, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, will discuss the practical application of MCED testing, the process for ordering and follow-up of results, and individual cases underscoring the optimal use of MCED testing in clinical practice.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Oncologists, gastroenterologists, obstetrician-gynecologists, hematologists, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare providers involved in cancer screening

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Differentiate MCED tests from other blood-based screening tests, explain how MCED testing complements existing screening and diagnostic methods in gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and hematologic cancers, assess current and emerging data supporting the use of MCED tests in clinical practice, discuss tactics to promote the widespread adoption of cancer screening in the community, and apply practical tools and strategies for integrating the latest cancer screening technologies into the clinical workflow.

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITH INELIGIBLE COMPANIES

i3 Health endorses the standards of the ACCME and ANCC that require everyone in a position to control the content of a CME/NCPD activity to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies that are related to the content of the CME/NCPD activity. CME/NCPD activities must be balanced, independent of commercial bias, and promote improvements or quality in health care. All recommendations involving clinical medicine must be based on evidence accepted within the medical profession.

A conflict of interest is created when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME/NCPD content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship, which therefore may bias their opinions and teaching. This may include receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, stocks, or other financial benefits.

i3 Health will identify, review, and mitigate all conflicts of interest that speakers, authors, or planners disclose prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation. i3 Health does not endorse any products or services.

Relevant financial relationships exist between the following individuals and ineligible companies:

The i3 Health planners, reviewers, and managers have nothing to disclose.

Charles Vega, MD, discloses that he has served as a consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline.

i3 Health has mitigated all relevant financial relationships.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

This activity is supported by an independent medical educational grant from GRAIL.

Aggregate participant data will be shared with commercial supporters of this activity.