Precision Medicine
Precision Medicine
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Preventing Disease with Precision Medicine
When it comes to preventing or treating severe hereditary disease, having precise genetic information is extremely important. Here at Mercy, we're on the forefront of studying and implementing advances in precision medicine to provide better care to our patients.
Unfortunately, health care has been a fractured experience for many people. Doctors, administrators, insurance companies and receptionists can't easily communicate. This can often leave patients feeling lost, unable to navigate their own care.
At Mercy, we're working to change that. By enabling communication across our care teams and partnering with genomic technology companies, we're able to offer new, personalized treatment methods to the communities we serve.
Plus, thanks to our deep investment in health information technology, we're uniquely positioned to use data to make informed health care decisions.
Once you see us for your test, you'll have access to a wide network of providers and caregivers. If further care is needed, we'll easily be able to set you up with the right specialist.
You'll also be able to see test results as soon as they're ready through MyMercy, a free app that allows you to conveniently message your doctor, schedule appointments and more.
One test could change the course of your life. When you choose Mercy, you're choosing a health care partner who will walk with you on that path wherever it leads.
Precision Medicine Services at Mercy
Mercy’s personalized medicine testing and services include:
- Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) test – detects over 50 types of cancer with a single blood screening
- Germline testing – checks for genetic mutations in a patient's DNA that could lead to an increased risk for certain cancers
- Pharmacogenomics – studies a patient's genetic attributes to predict their likely response to therapeutic drug treatments
- Somatic testing – examines a tumor or tissue to look for the presence of any cancerous cells
The Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) test can detect a shared signal across 50 types of cancer through a simple blood test. If a signal is detected, the results can help your health care provider guide your next steps.
Germline genetic testing looks for inherited gene changes (mutations) that can increase cancer risk. This test can benefit adults of all ages who have an at-risk ethnicity or an immediate family history of cancer.
This field uses a combination of pharmacology and genomics to determine a patient's potential response to therapeutic drug treatments.
Also known as tumor testing or tumor sequencing, somatic genetic testing looks for acquired mutations in a confined set of cells or tissue.
Which test should I get?
If you're wondering which test is right for you, we've made a table so you can easily reference the details of each. See below for more on the germline and Multi-Cancer Early Detection tests.
| Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test (MCED) |
Germline Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The Galleri® Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) test is a new cancer screening test that can detect a shared cancer signal across more than 50 types of cancer. | Genetic testing looks for inherited gene changes (mutations) that can increase your cancer risk. |
| Personal and Family History | A family history of cancer is a consideration for MCED testing, but there are other risk factors that may determine eligibility. If you've been diagnosed with or treated for cancer within the last five years, you won't be eligible for MCED testing. | Genetic testing is ideal for those with a family history of cancer. It's also recommended for anyone with an active cancer diagnosis looking for genetic guidance on their treatment. |
| Age | The MCED test is recommended for adults with an elevated risk for cancer, such as those aged 50 and older. | Genetic testing is recommended for adults aged 18 and older with a known family history of cancer. |
| Findings | The MCED test will screen for more than 50 types of cancer signals in your bloodstream that may be linked to active cancer today. | Germline testing will measure your genetic risk of developing cancer in the future. |
| Cost | The MCED test isn't currently covered by insurance and costs $949. Talk to us about payment plans if you're unable to pay in full. | Germline testing is frequently covered by insurance if you meet certain criteria. If you don't meet the criteria or don't have insurance, the cost is approximately $249. |
| Method | Blood test at Mercy laboratory. | Cheek swab at home or in the clinic. |
| There may be situations where both tests are recommended. Mercy's precision medicine team will help make those recommendations based on the information you provide during your eligibility screening. | ||
Precision Cancer Care
Mercy is committed to staying on the leading edge of developments in early detection, early treatment, and better outcomes for all patients entrusted to our care. We’re committed to improving our patients' health through biomarker testing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and pharmacogenomics.
Research into precision medicine is rapidly expanding our ability to develop diagnosis and treatment paths to benefit our patients at Mercy and worldwide.
Precision medicine, or personalized medicine, tailors disease prevention and treatment to each patient by considering their genetics, environment and lifestyle. Knowledge of an individual patient at a molecular level helps us anticipate and even prevent future diseases.
Mercy provides genetic services and the latest genetic technology to help prevent, or diagnose and treat, a variety of health conditions, leading to better treatment outcomes and faster recoveries.
Precision medicine testing looks for genes, proteins and other substances in the body, tailoring treatments to any findings. Mercy’s care team includes a genetic counselor to convey test results to patients and a navigator to guide them along their journey.
Mercy has entered into a groundbreaking 10-year collaboration with Mayo Clinic. Because Mercy was an early adopter of Epic health information technology, we have the advantage of decades of deidentified patient outcomes to analyze. This allows us to discover patterns that signal when patients are at higher risk for specific health issues such as heart attack, stroke or disease.
This joint effort between Mercy and Mayo Clinic, using leading data science methods, will enable care providers around the world to diagnose diseases earlier and pursue proven treatment paths to start recoveries sooner.
Mercy Precision Medicine Services
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive services to diagnose and treat a full range of conditions, including:
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive testing services to diagnose conditions and injuries, including:
At Mercy, we offer compassionate care for a variety of treatment services, including: