Hot Topics in Blood-Based Cancer Screening—Volume 2:

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of PCPs, NPs, PAs, OB/GYNs, geriatricians, and other relevant specialists.

Program Overview

With ≥2 million new cases diagnosed, and 611,000 deaths estimated in the United States this year, cancer presents enormous medical, economic, and social burdens. With 5-year relative survival rates 3 to 8 times higher for cancers diagnosed at local stages as compared to distant stages, early detection of cancer is essential to reducing the significant burdens associated with it; treatments can be initiated sooner, resulting in improved outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality, and better quality of life. While the implementation of current screening guidelines has resulted in an overall reduction in cancer deaths, 57% of cancers diagnosed have no available preventive screening modality, leaving much room for improvement. Thus, the advent of blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests that can screen for as few as 4 to more than 50 types of cancers have the potential to complement the population-based screening of asymptomatic individuals. With 1 test commercially available and many in late-stage development, it is important that primary care clinicians be prepared to address MCED screening in practice, including staying up to date on the most-recent research available about them. At the spring 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) annual conferences, a multitude of data was presented on MCED tests and preventive cancer screening, including real-world data, clinical trial data, novel MCEDs in development, and inherent health equity challenges related to their implementation. This educational activity has 2 parts: Dr. Richard Whittington delivers an MCED Primer designed to build primary care clinicians’ knowledge about the science of MCEDs and how to implement their use in primary care practice, followed by chapterized discussions between Dr. Whittington and Dr. Gautum Agarwal on the various MCED-related data presented at the AACR, ASCO, and NCCN 2024 oncology conferences.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Explain the limitations of single-organ cancer screening modalities and the potential role of blood-based testing to improve outcomes via earlier detection
2. Describe the use of methylated cell-free DNA for cancer detection, including tissue-of-origin identification
3. Summarize the most-recent clinical trial data on available and investigational blood-based multi-cancer screening tests emerging from national oncology conference presentations
4. Incorporate MCED screening and relevant patient counseling into primary care practice

Physician Accreditation Statement

Integritas Communications is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Integritas designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing Continuing Education

Global Education Group is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This educational activity for 1.0 contact hour including 0.0 pharmacotherapeutic contact hour is provided by Global Education Group. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Integritas Contact Information

For information about the accreditation (ACCME credit) of this program, please contact Integritas at info@exchangecme.com.

Global Contact Information

For information about the accreditation (ANCC credit) of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must:

1. Read the educational objectives, accreditation information, and faculty disclosures at the beginning of this activity.
2. Complete the Preactivity Questions.
3. Review the activity content.
4. Achieve a grade of at least 70% on the Postactivity Test and complete the Evaluation.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships

Integritas Communications and Global Education Group (Global) adhere to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. All persons in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education program provided by Global are required to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the past 24 months to Global. All financial relationships reported are identified as relevant and mitigated by Global in accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. The content of this activity was vetted by Global to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.  

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

The faculty have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:

Gautum Agarwal, MD: Consulting Fee: GRAIL, Inc.

Richard A. Whittington, MD: Nothing to disclose

The planners and managers at Integritas Communications and Global Education Group have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Integritas Communications and Global Education Group (Global) do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. 

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.