Emergent Science: Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests

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Early screening for cancer is important because when detected at later stages, treatments are more limited, and outcomes are generally poorer. While more research is needed to assess the impact on outcomes, newer, innovative multi-cancer screening technology may have the potential to detect more cancers at earlier stages. Several private and academic entities are currently developing multi-cancer early detection blood-based tests. Published data indicate that some of these tests can screen for many cancers at the same time, including some rare cancers.

They call it a Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) test. We call it a potentially innovative, game-changing advancement for cancer patients.

Now we need to ensure that, if approved by the FDA and shown to have clinical benefit, millions of people, especially older Americans at higher risk for cancer, will have the test covered by their health insurance plan. We are asking Congress to pass legislation that lays the groundwork for this to happen.

Innovation in cancer early detection could help address cancer disparities if shown to have clinical benefit.

Find out more.

Check out our infographic to learn more about Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tests.

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Urge your Member of Congress to support cancer early detection innovation

We were so close to getting the multi-cancer early detection bill passed last year. Your voice can help make this lifesaving legislation a priority this year.

Latest Updates

June 4, 2025
National

A bill introduced earlier this year in the House and Senate now has the bipartisan support of the majority of the members in each chamber.

March 13, 2025
Arizona

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) join Arizonans in mourning the loss of Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died Thursday after complications from battling lung cancer. During his more than two decades of serving in Congress, Rep. Grijalva championed efforts to improve public health by advocating for the development of new health care clinics in Southern Arizona, as well as supporting efforts to increase access to care by co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to aid in the fight against cancer.

February 3, 2025
National

A bill introduced in the House and Senate last week aims to improve future equitable access to new and innovative cancer screenings among Medicare beneficiaries in order to increase early detection of more cancers for more individuals.

December 20, 2024
National

This week, Congress failed to advance a bipartisan year-end health care package that would have made a big difference in the fight against cancer. The bill included language based on the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (House)/ Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act (Senate) and the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, which are key priorities for cancer patients and their families.

Emergent Science: Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests Resources

Earlier screening for cancer is important because when detected at later stages, treatments are more limited, and outcomes are generally poorer. Medicare enrollees should have access to multi-cancer screening tests when the benefit is clinically shown.

Earlier screening for cancer is important because when detected at later stages, treatments are more limited, and outcomes are generally poorer. Medicare enrollees should have access to multi-cancer screening tests when the benefit is clinically shown.

Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests (MCEDs) are simple blood tests that can screen for many types of cancer at once. Congress must seize the opportunity to ensure these cutting-edge tests can be covered under Medicare once they are FDA-approved and proven to have clinical benefit. Doing so has the potential to save lives and revolutionize the way we detect cancer.