‘It’s always at the back of your mind’: St. Charles, OHSU seek volunteers for blood tests that could find cancers early

(Update: Adding video, comments from volunteer, St. Charles )

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An early cancer detection study seeks to add hundreds more volunteers here in Central Oregon. St. Charles Health System is partnering with OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute in a study to see how well the Galleri test detects cancers using a blood draw.

Bend residents like Laurie Lowry are already signing up.

"So many of the cancers are preventable these days, so why wouldn't you?" Lowry said Wednesday.

The PATHFINDER 2 study is not about cancer treatment. The purpose of this study is to understand the performance and safety of a blood test for early detection of a signal shared by multiple cancers.

The goal for nationwide enrollment was recently increased from 20,000 to 50,000. For the local target, it has increased as well, but the exact number has not been finalized as of yet.

It's a follow up to the initial PATHFINDER 1 study on a broader scale, including people from diverse and underrepresented populations. This is an opportunity for rural Oregonians to be part of the development of cancer detection strategies.

The study’s goal is to improve early cancer detection and, ultimately, save lives.

"I'm 72 years old and you know, it's when you're getting older, it's always at the back of your mind," Lowry added.

The test is being studied and is not at this time approved or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. It is also not meant to replace cancer screening tests your health care provider may recommend, such as a colonoscopy or mammography.

The OHSU Knight Cancer institute was selected as one of 32 sites nationally for the study, and OHSU has partnered with hospitals and health systems in Coos Bay, Hood River, The Dalles, Salem and Central Oregon in an effort to reach people outside the Portland area.

The Pathfinder 2 study is open to those who:

• Are 50 or older and
• Have never been diagnosed with cancer or
• Have been cancer-free at least three years.

Participants will be asked to give a blood sample drawn by a trained practitioner, provide medical history and complete some questionnaires. More information is here. Participants who enroll in the study will receive the test at no cost.

“People don’t like having their blood drawn or thinking about cancer impacting their lives, and we understand that,” said Cindy Shuman, the clinical research coordinator who is overseeing the study for St. Charles. “But too often, cancer isn’t found until it’s advanced and harder to treat, and that’s why studies like this are important – so we can improve early detection. At the same time, participants will feel more informed about their own health and will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with that.”

"A test like this is super-exciting to me, and to be able to move the needle on cancer detection is so important," Shuman added.

You can learn more about enrolling through St. Charles by contacting St. Charles Research at 541-706-2909 or research@stcharleshealthcare.org.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.