Catching Cancer Early: How Whole Blood Tests and Full-Body Scans Can Make a Difference- WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS TYPE OF TESTING.
Cancer is a word that carries weight for all of us. Too many people we love are diagnosed far too late, when treatment options are limited and outcomes are uncertain. Early detection gives us the power to act sooner, treat smarter, and save lives. While traditional screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears have changed the landscape of cancer care, they don’t catch every type of cancer early. That’s where whole blood cancer screening and full-body scans come into play.
These tools aren’t perfect, and they aren’t yet widely covered by insurance, but understanding them can empower you to make informed decisions about your health.
WHAT IS Whole Blood Cancer Screening: A New Era in Detection
Whole blood cancer tests, also called liquid biopsies, are revolutionizing how we think about early detection. They analyze tiny fragments of DNA, proteins, or other tumor markers released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Some advanced panels, like multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, can screen for multiple types of cancer from a single blood draw.
Benefits:
Non-invasive: Just a simple blood test.
Multi-cancer detection: Potential to identify cancers without standard screening protocols, such as pancreatic or ovarian cancer.
Early intervention: Detecting cancer before symptoms appear can allow for less invasive treatment and better outcomes.
Limitations:
False positives: Not every abnormal result indicates cancer, sometimes leading to additional testing and stress.
Early-stage detection still evolving: While promising, these tests are newer, and long-term data on survival benefits are still accumulating.
Cost & insurance: Typically $800–$1,500 per test, and most insurance plans do not cover them yet.
Full-Body Scans: Seeing the Invisible
Full-body imaging, such as MRI, low-dose CT, or PET scans, allows physicians to look at your entire body for suspicious lesions or tumors. This approach can find cancers or other health issues before they cause symptoms.
Benefits:
Comprehensive: Can detect abnormalities throughout the body.
Early detection: Small tumors that would otherwise go unnoticed may be identified.
Peace of mind: Seeing your health clearly provides reassurance.
Limitations:
Costly: Scans range from $2,500–$3,500 and are generally not covered by insurance.
Potential for incidental findings: Sometimes scans reveal benign issues that lead to unnecessary procedures.
Radiation exposure: Minimal in low-dose CT, but something to consider.
Why Insurance Often Doesn’t Cover These Tests
Insurance coverage tends to follow evidence: only screenings that have been proven to save lives on a population level are typically reimbursed. Colonoscopy, mammography, and Pap smears fit that standard. Whole blood tests and full-body scans are exciting and promising, but as newer technologies, they lack decades of long-term evidence. That means, for now, these tools are often paid out-of-pocket.
The Catch in Catching Cancer Early
The truth is simple: early detection saves lives. While no test is perfect, combining awareness, regular recommended screenings, and advanced tools like blood tests or scans can improve your odds of catching cancer before it spreads.
For families, friends, and loved ones we’ve seen lose too soon, these screenings represent hope; a proactive approach that may provide peace of mind and, most importantly, more time together.
Takeaway:
Even if insurance doesn’t cover it today, investing in your health through early detection can be one of the most loving decisions you make for yourself and your family.
Cancer doesn’t always announce itself early, but we now have tools to look deeper and sooner. Whole blood screenings and full-body scans are changing how we approach prevention and early intervention. While these tests may require out-of-pocket investment, they offer a chance to take control and detect cancer before it strikes.
Your health is worth the attention, care, and proactive choices that could save your life; or the life of someone you love.
XOXO,
Dr. Hutson
PS my mother is a two time Breast Cancer survivor so this is very important to me.
Meet the Author
Dr. Lauren Hutson is an experienced Primary Care Provider with degrees in Neuroscience and Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her residency at Baylor Scott & White, Texas A&M, with ABIM certification in Internal Medicine and has developed a strong focus on preventive care and chronic illness management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided critical care as a Hospitalist in New Mexico, exemplifying her commitment to saving lives.
Dr. Hutson is also trained in Functional Medicine, is ABHRT and SSRP certified, and holds ABCN certification pending- these tools help exemplify her passion for root cause approach and healing the body as a whole. She practices medicine at the cellular level, focusing on enhancing longevity and optimizing long-term health by addressing root causes. She believes that all disease can start in the gut, and is authoring a book on gut health to share her insights on the microbiome’s role in overall wellness and also a recent course for the initiation of how to be your healthiest version of yourself ( self-paced) direct from Dr. Hutson herself!
Her front-line experiences during the pandemic inspired her to emphasize preventive health and health span over lifespan, investing in personalized strategies that empower patients to live healthier, longer, and more vibrant lives.
