Cancer Screening Is Changing: What New Options Are There?

#cancerscreening #newcancertests #noninvasivetesting #cancerprevention #breastcancerscreening #womenshealth #functionalmedicine #breastcancerawareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I always like to dedicate at least one blog post or newsletter in October to this important topic. You’ve probably noticed the pink ribbons everywhere. But behind the campaigns, there’s a reality many of us already feel: cancer is showing up more often, closer to home. Friends, family, neighbors - chances are you know someone right now who is dealing with it.

That’s not just a feeling. The numbers are climbing. Some experts say that within the next couple of decades, 1 in 2 people may face some type of cancer in their lifetime. And no, that’s not to scare you - it’s to be honest. Between environmental toxins, chronic stress, processed foods, and our modern lifestyle, risk is going up.

But here’s the good news: cancer is also becoming less of a “mystery monster.” We have better therapies now - immune-based treatments, more targeted options - and we’re also getting better at spotting cancer earlier. That’s where I want to focus today.

New Ways of Cancer Detection

We all know about mammograms, colonoscopies, IRMs,  Pap smears… and while they save lives, they’re not perfect and they’re not always fun. But in the last few years, new tests have come onto the scene - some you may not have even heard of - that aim to catch cancer earlier, with just a blood test or even a few drops of tears.

Here are some of the most talked-about ones:

• Galleri (GRAIL): a blood test that looks for over 50 cancers by reading DNA “methylation patterns.” Right now, it’s mostly available in the U.S., and it runs about $949.

• Guardant Shield: a blood test focused just on colorectal cancer. The exciting part? It’s FDA-cleared and even covered by Medicare in the U.S. Image source: https://auria.care

• Cancerguard (Exact Sciences): another multi-cancer blood test, rolling out in the U.S. with a price tag around $689.

• Auria (Tear-based): yes, you read that right. A simple collection of your tears, analyzed for protein changes linked with breast tissue activity. It’s not meant to replace a mammogram, but it’s a non-invasive extra tool. Costs about $199.

• I also want to mention the DUTCH or the ZRT hormone tests here that allow you to see how your body is metabolizing your estrogens. If the 16-OH pathway is overused, it increases your risk of fibroids and breast cancer. Price is around $250/300.

• OncoSure: a newer blood test that claims to spot all 207 known types of human cancer by detecting little “oncosomes” (vesicles released by cancer cells). It’s quick, marketed with accuracy over 97%, and available through Evexia Diagnostics in the U.S. But it’s also pricey at $895, and still waiting for FDA clearance.

• CancerLabCheck this test isolates intact cancer cells drifting in the bloodstream - “whole, living tumor cells” - rather than fragments.They claim that they can catch disease even at “stage zero,” before conventional scans would ever see it. This is the most expensive test yet, also still waiting for FDA clearance - $1,995

None of these tests are “magic bullets.” They don’t replace standard screenings yet, and if one shows a signal, you’ll still need scans or biopsies. But… they represent progress. And in a world where cancer is becoming more common, progress matters.

The earlier we know, the more options we have. The earlier we act, the less fear takes over.

Beyond the Tests: What We Can Do Every Day for Prevention?

Screening tools are one piece. But let’s not forget the basics that give our bodies a fighting chance:

• Detox your daily life: reduce chemical exposure where you can - from cleaning products, food packaging, skincare.

• Support your body’s natural detox: eat real food, hydrate, sweat, breathe deeply, and yes - release those toxic emotions too.

• Consider iodine as part of your protection strategy. While often associated only with thyroid health, iodine also has broader benefits. Short-term, slightly higher doses - taken before known radiation exposure like mammograms, medical imaging, or long-haul flights - can help your body neutralize free radicals, protect cells from oxidative stress, and support detox pathways. Adequate iodine levels also play an important role in women’s health by helping to balance estrogen activity and support breast and uterine tissue, which may reduce fibrocystic changes or fibroid growth. (Caution for women with thyroid autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ though, only take it under supervision of a skilled practitioner or endocrinologist.)

• Incorporate non-invasive detox techniques into your day-to-day and use targeted supplements on a regular basis to help your body shed plastics, heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins. 

• Keep stress in check: constant fight-or-flight mode is not your friend.

• Stay active, sleep well, connect with others. These are not clichés - they’re biology.

• To reduce your breast cancer risk specifically: make sure that you have sufficient progesterone to keep your estrogen in check and also make sure your body is metabolizing those estrogens the right way. Go back to my previous article for more details here.

The best way to get started with a whole foods diet that helps you keep your blood sugar stable all while enjoying healthy foods, is getting my Hormone Balance Cookbook.

If you are interested in running a DUTCH or ZRT test to check your estrogen metabolism, please contact me here.

Keeping It Real

Here’s what I want you to take away this Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Cancer is more common than ever, yes. But it’s also less of a death sentence than it used to be. We’re gaining new tools to detect it earlier, treat it smarter, and live through it stronger.

So let’s not live in fear. Let’s live aware. Let’s use what’s available, take care of our bodies, and keep our stress detectives switched on.