What You Should Know:
– Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) launches comprehensive cancer risk and early detection program designed to identify individuals at higher risk for cancer and enable earlier diagnosis.
– Powered by CancerIQ’s precision health platform, the program is the first of its kind in New Jersey, joining a select group of programs nationwide focused on large-scale cancer screening and interception.
Why Early Detection is Key
Early cancer detection is crucial for improving survival rates. Cancers like pancreatic and lung, often diagnosed in advanced stages, have significantly higher survival rates when detected early. By identifying individuals at higher risk, HMH can implement personalized prevention and early detection strategies.
Cancer Risk Assessment & Advanced Blood Testing
The program, offered at the Hennessy Institute for Cancer Prevention and Applied Molecular Medicine (HICAP), combines HMH’s clinical expertise with CancerIQ’s cutting-edge precision health platform. By leveraging a detailed cancer risk assessment and advanced blood testing, the program aims to detect cancer at its earliest stages, significantly improving patient outcomes.
How the Program Works
Patients begin by completing a comprehensive cancer risk assessment provided by CancerIQ. This user-friendly tool gathers information about personal and family medical history, lifestyle factors, and other relevant data. Based on the assessment, individuals will receive personalized recommendations, including potential genetic testing, lifestyle modifications, and screening schedules.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
HMH’s team of physicians, nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, and navigators will work closely with patients to develop tailored care plans. The program also incorporates advanced blood testing, known as liquid biopsies, to detect cancer cells early in their development.
“This new program opens an entire new field in cancer, from preventing cancer in someone with genetic risk factors, to detecting cancer earlier and reducing cancer recurrence,” said Andre Goy, MD, MS, chairman and executive director of John Theurer Cancer Center. “Combining technology, genomics and AI, our goal is to intercept cancer—including in underserved communities—by bringing new tools to people’s homes with a user-friendly platform to navigate their risk factors and prevention or treatment options.”
