Some at-home tests may produce results that are suggestive of leukemia symptoms, but this is not a diagnosis. Home testing may be useful in guiding a person’s decision about whether or not to see a doctor for certain health conditions. In the event of leukemia and other cancers, however, medical advice should be sought first.
A person can utilize a variety of at-home tests to diagnose a variety of health problems. However, at-home testing is currently unavailable for several disorders.
Some healthcare firms will deliver a test kit to a person’s home address, and the company may ask them to schedule an appointment with a specific lab to collect a sample after they receive it. This is the case with cancer testing at home.
The alternatives for leukemia home testing will be discussed in this article, as well as a quick overview of the condition.
About leukemia and at-home tests for leukemia
Leukemia is a general word for cancer of the blood cells. It is most common in people under the age of 15 and those over the age of 55, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Leukemia is a serious medical condition, and there are presently no home leukemia tests available.
The only tests available require a person to give a blood sample to a designated laboratory. These tests could reveal symptoms that are common in leukemia diagnoses. These tests, however, do not constitute a diagnosis.
If a person suspects they may have leukemia, they should seek medical help right once.
Leukemia signs and symptoms
According to the American Cancer Society, leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells in the majority of instances. Some varieties of leukemia, however, can arise in different types of blood cells.
Depending on the type of cell affected, health specialists distinguish between several types of leukemia. They also consider if the leukemia is acute or chronic, and whether it is fast-growing or persistent.
The following are some of the most common leukemia symptoms:
- tiredness or weakness
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- pale skin
- regular bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or heavy menstrual flows
Multi-cancer test
We’ll look at a specific cancer detection test that requires a blood sample to be collected at an accredited lab in the section below.
This test has not been tried by the author of this article. All of the material offered is based solely on research and was accurate at the time of publishing.
Galleri Early Detection Multi-Cancer Test
This Galleri multi-cancer early detection test necessitates the collection of a blood sample by a lab. The blood sample is then tested in the lab for up to 50 different types of cancer, including leukemia.
To schedule this prescription-only test, go to the Galleri website and click on the “Request a Test Online” option. Individuals will then be immediately redirected to Genome Medical, an independent telemedicine service.
An example of a Galleri test process is as follows:
- Genome Medical conducts an online medical evaluation to determine a person’s clinical eligibility.
- If the person is eligible, the company sends a blood draw collection kit to the person’s home address.
- The person makes an appointment with a local, approved lab for a blood sample collection.
- The lab packs and sends the sample for testing.
- The company contacts the individual for an optional post-test consultation when the test results are available, which is usually in around 2 weeks.
- The person should contact a doctor with their results and the clinical action plan that Genome Medical provides.
The test has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the business . It also notes that the test is recommended for people who are at a higher risk of acquiring cancer, such as those aged 50 and up.
It’s important to remember that this test isn’t a replacement for normal cancer screening, and false-positive and false-negative results are possible. However, a clinical trial published in 2021 discovered that this sort of multi-cancer test has a 0.5 percent false-positive rate.
Medical insurance and cancer treatment
Cancer care, including consultations, diagnostic tests, and any necessary treatment, is usually covered by private medical insurance.
It’s important noting, however, that under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), medical insurers are required to give particular cancer-related benefits, such as:
- A medical insurer cannot deny a person coverage for a condition they had before joining their current plan.
- A medical insurer cannot charge a person more due to a specific health condition.
- A medical insurance company cannot stop paying its part of a person’s medical bills.
Conclusion
Leukemia is a serious condition that necessitates medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no at-home tests available to aid in the diagnosis of leukemia.
If a person is concerned about their health, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Many cancer therapies are covered by medical insurance, and individuals should check with their plan provider or their employer’s human resources or benefits department to ensure coverage.
Sources:
- https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0501/p731.html
- https://www.lls.org/facts-and-statistics/facts-and-statistics-overview
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/flexible-spending-account-fsa/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/leukemia-at-home-test
- https://www.genomemedical.com/programs/galleri/#faqs
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-savings-account-hsa/
- https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(21)02046-9/fulltext
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia.html
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia
- https://www.galleri.com/hcp
