What to know about at-home leukemia tests

Some at-home tests may show results indicative of leukemia symptoms, but they cannot provide a diagnosis. For some health conditions, home testing may help guide a person’s decision about contacting a doctor. If anyone suspects leukemia, it is best to seek medical advice first.
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There are many at-home tests that a person may use for a variety of health conditions. However, for some conditions, at-home testing is currently not possible.
Some healthcare companies will send a test kit to a person’s home address, and once the individual receives it, the company may require them to arrange an appointment with a specified lab to collect a sample. This is the case with at-home cancer testing.
cancer
This article will look at the options of home testing for leukemia, and it will briefly discuss the condition.
About leukemia and at-home leukemia tests
Leukemia is a broad term for cancer that occurs in blood cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is most common in people under the age of 15 years and in those over the age of 55 years.
blood
15 years
Leukemia is a serious medical condition, and currently, there are no leukemia tests that a person can do at home.
The only available tests involve a person giving a blood sample at a nominated laboratory. These tests may indicate symptoms typical of leukemia diagnoses. However, these tests are not a diagnosis.
If a person thinks they may have leukemia, they should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Symptoms of leukemia
According to the American Cancer Society, in most cases, leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells. However, some forms of leukemia can develop in other types of blood cells.
American Cancer Society
white blood cells
Health experts distinguish between several forms of leukemia depending on the type of cell the condition affects. They also take into account whether it is fast-growing, or acute, leukemia or slow-growing, or chronic, leukemia.
Common symptoms of leukemia may include:
may include
tiredness or weakness
tiredness
weakness
dizziness
dizziness
shortness of breath
shortness of breath
pale skin
pale skin
regular bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or heavy menstrual flows
bleeding
nosebleeds
bleeding gums
heavy menstrual flows
Learn more about leukemia here.
Learn more about leukemia here.
Multi-cancer test
Below, we look at a specific cancer detection test involving a blood sample collection at an accredited lab.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried this test. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test
This Galleri multi-cancer early detection test involves taking a blood sample that a lab collects. The lab then tests the blood sample to screen for up to 50 different types of cancer, including leukemia.
To arrange this prescription-only test, a person needs to visit the Galleri website and choose the option for requesting a test online. Next, the page will automatically redirect individuals to an independent telemedicine provider Genome Medical.
The following is an example of a typical Galleri testing process:
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.
2 weeks
The person should contact a doctor with their results and the clinical action plan that Genome Medical provides.
The company notes that the test does not currently have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also states that it recommends the test for people at higher risk of developing cancer, such as individuals aged 50 years and older.
notes
It is of note that this test does not replace routine cancer screening, and false-positive and false-negative results can occur. However, a 2021 clinical study found this type of multi-cancer test to have a 0.5% false-positive rate.
0.5%
The test starts from around $950 and may be eligible for purchase using a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
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Cancer care and medical insurance
Individuals with private medical insurance typically have coverage for cancer care, including consultations, diagnostic testing, and any required treatment.
However, it is important to note that medical insurers must provide specific benefits in relation to cancer care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the following:
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
A medical insurer cannot deny a person coverage for a condition they had before joining their current plan.
cannot deny
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.
Learn more about the ACA here.
Learn more about the ACA here.
Summary
Leukemia is a serious condition that requires diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional. There are currently no at-home tests that a person may use to aid leukemia diagnosis.
If an individual has concerns about their health, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Medical insurance covers many cancer treatments, and a person should consult their plan provider or employer’s human resources or benefits department to confirm coverage.