In 2025, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer and about 618,000, or 1,700 per day, will die from it, according to the National Cancer Institute. Two-thirds of those deaths will be from cancers that aren’t routinely screened for according to oncologist Tom Beer, MD, chief medical officer of Exact Sciences.
That’s because current guidelines recommend routine screening for only four types of cancer, leaving most patients without early detection options. Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) aims to change that. MCED is a blood-based screening test designed to simultaneously screen for multiple cancers enabling more effective treatment.
To learn more about health systems’ adoption of MCED and readiness to implement MCED programs, Becker’s Healthcare and Exact Sciences collaborated on a survey of 101 health system leaders from across the United States.
Survey respondents included C-suite executives (CEOs, CMOs and CFOs), along with directors of population health from large hospital systems. A majority (nearly three-quarters) represented systems with multiple hospitals and about 50% oversee facilities with 500 or more beds.
Key takeaways from the survey are summarized below. MCED gains traction
The data suggests an emerging dynamic of “innovative competition” in cancer screening, with nearly 6 in 10 health systems already offering MCED or planning to do so within the next year and 67% of health system leaders interested in operationalizing MCED. 23% of surveyed health systems have already launched a full-scale MCED testing program.
Only 11% of respondents are not currently planning to implement MCED.
MCED is quickly becoming part of the strategic conversation as health systems seek to differentiate themselves and appeal to patients and providers as innovators. Those health systems that are not yet exploring or actively working to implement MCED may face pressure to catch up, as many of their peers integrate MCED into routine care.
The concept of innovative competition is occurring as momentum for MCED is building. With over one-third of health systems actively preparing to implement MCED within the next year, industry momentum is shifting toward broad adoption.
