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  • Wellstar MCG Health to Offer Blood Test That Can Detect More Than 50 Types of Cancer
Article Category: Newsroom

Wellstar MCG Health to Offer Blood Test That Can Detect More Than 50 Types of Cancer

Published on October 10, 2024

Last updated 10:04 PM October 10, 2024

A friendly image of blood testing

In 2023, an estimated 610,000 people will die of cancer in the U.S. It’s the second leading cause of death in the nation, just behind heart disease.

That’s partly because detecting cancer early is essential to treating it. Yet recommended screenings like mammograms, Pap tests and colonoscopies only screen for a handful of individual cancers.

That’s why the new Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test being offered at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center is revolutionary. It can detect more than 50 kinds of cancer using about 1.5 tablespoons of blood.

Dr. Brandy Gunsolus, who oversees pathology utilization for Wellstar MCG Health, said the vast majority of the cancers Galleri can detect don’t currently have any other type of screening method. This is particularly important for more lethal cancers that aren’t typically caught until later stages, she said.

“To be able to catch a Stage II or even a Stage I ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer, which you typically don’t catch until Stage IV, is completely life-changing,” she said. “It gives patients an increased chance of survival.”

In addition to looking for cancerous cells to determine if cancer is present, the test can also indicate in which organ system the cancer likely started. This lets the doctor know which additional tests to perform to verify the presence of cancer, such as a CT scan of a patient’s lungs.

The Galleri test development was supported by what is believed to be one of the largest study programs in genomic medicine, with more than 20,000 participants at more than 140 clinical study sites, including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Its false-positive rate—the rate in which the test detects a cancer signal when there is no cancer present—is 0.5%.

Gunsolus said she started vetting the Galleri process this past spring. Wellstar MCG Health is the first hospital in Georgia to offer the test.

“It’s a process where pathology looks at the lab and the test itself to ensure it’s a legitimate test and not a scam,” she said.

While the test is a breakthrough, Gunsolus said she isn’t expecting high demand at the start because the test is not currently covered by insurance, although that’s expected to change in the next 12 to 18 months. The test is offered at a discounted rate of $799 for patients at Wellstar MCG Health. The regular price is $950 for patients outside of the health system. However, patients can use funds from their FSA or HSA to pay for the test, and a payment plan is available.

“Even though insurance doesn’t cover it yet, we wanted to go ahead and offer it for individuals like me who are very high risk,” she said. “This is a life-changing screen.”

Gunsolus said she plans to take the test because her four grandparents died from cancer, and her father has cancer.

“I’m willing to put out additional money until the test is covered because it’s not a matter of if I get cancer, but when,” she said.

The Galleri test is recommended for those 50 or older at elevated cancer risk. Those interested in taking the test can call (706) 721-9335.

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Wellstar Partners with March of Dimes & Center for Black Women’s Wellness on Mobile Markets

The Wellstar Goodr Mobile Market season has kicked off 2025 with a new site in South Fulton County. March of Dimes, in collaboration with the Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW), was selected as a new partner and site for the markets brought to you by Goodr, Wellstar Community Health and the Wellstar Foundation.

CBWW serves women, men and children throughout metro Atlanta through a host of programs and services aimed at optimizing health, strengthening families and communities, and advancing health equity. Over the past 36 years, the center has created a legacy in Atlanta that ensures people will always have access to quality healthcare and wellness programming. 

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They support research, education and advocacy, and the organization provides programs and services so that every family can get the best possible start. These mobile markets build on March of Dimes’ existing partnerships with CBWW.

Food insecurity can negatively affect someone’s pregnancy and health outcomes, according to March of Dimes Director, Maternal & Child Health Collective Impact Tamara Mason.

“Every mom should have the ability to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby full-term, regardless of a woman's race or where she lives,” Mason said.

The mobile markets are in their fourth year of operating drive-through food giveaways and health and wellness education distribution for pre-registered individuals. 

“Our partnership with March of Dimes and the Center for Black Women's Wellness through the Wellstar Mobile Market is a pivotal initiative to ensure equitable access to food,” said Rae-Anne Pinckney, director of community health programs and partnerships for Wellstar. “By offering nutritious foods alongside vital health education, we empower communities to make informed choices, paving the way for a healthier and more vibrant future for all.”

For more information about mobile markets and other community health programs at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/community. To register for food at any of the upcoming mobile markets, go to wellstarmobilemarket.com.

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Highlights

What to Expect from Obesity Treatment

Friendly photo of Dr. Alicia Shelly, and reads The Weekly Check-up Atlanta


Dramatic weight loss stories from people taking new obesity and diabetes drugs have many patients asking their healthcare providers, “Could these be right for me?”

Dr. Alicia Shelly, an internal and obesity medicine physician at Wellstar, joined host Bruce Feinberg, DO, on 95.5 WSB’s The Weekly Check-Up to talk about it all, including:

  • What to expect from obesity treatment today
  • Medication options and costs
  • How lifestyle coaching fits into treatment
  • When bariatric surgery may be appropriate

“Obesity is a chronic disease,” said Dr. Shelly. “There are multiple reasons why people gain weight and why it's harder for them to lose weight. But know that you don’t have to do it alone.”

What to expect at your obesity appointment

Your first visit to Wellstar Center for Best Health will typically last 30 to 45 minutes, and you’ll be asked about your:

  • Medical history
  • Past experiences trying to lose weight
  • Lifestyle, including exercise, sleep and eating habits
  • Stress and mental health

“If you’re struggling with obesity, this is probably not your first time trying to lose weight,” said Dr. Shelly. “We want to understand your journey with weight loss.”

The physical exam includes measuring a body’s composition of fat, muscle and water. She explained that a healthcare professional wants to know where you carry fat. Patients with a high proportion of stomach fat or visceral fat have a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions.

Obesity medications take center stage

If you’re like many who come to Wellstar, you’ve heard about injectable medications like Wegovy and others. Similar medicines that can be taken by mouth are in clinical trials.

The drugs are called GLP-1s, which is short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. They act like a natural hormone that regulates appetite, slows stomach emptying and decreases insulin levels. As a result, many patients feel full longer, eat less and have better blood sugar control.

“The medications help turn off cravings and your appetite,” Dr. Shelly said. Patients also report less mental “noise” about food, such as musing after breakfast, “What am I going to eat for lunch?"

Without insurance coverage, GLP-1s can cost around $1,000 a month. If you have insurance that covers some or all of the drugs’ costs, you may need your insurance plan’s approval in advance. Wellstar nurse navigators can help you with this process.

If you can’t afford newer medications, there are additional options among older and less costly medications approved for weight loss.

Dr. Shelly noted that if cost and insurance weren’t barriers, she’d probably recommend medication for 75% of her patients. “Many people have already done a lot of diets and exercises in the past to lose weight, but the weight keeps coming back. And that’s because obesity is a chronic disease.”

Nutrition, exercise and behavioral healthcare are all part of obesity treatment

Healthy weight loss takes a combination of approaches, not just prescriptions, according to Dr. Shelly. If you are treated for obesity at Wellstar you’ll likely visit several clinicians, including:

  • A registered dietitian for personalized nutrition and meal planning
  • An exercise physiologist who develops routines that meet your physical condition
  • A psychologist who can help you with motivation, handling cravings and other behavioral factors in weight loss

A dietitian can help you understand the effects of food choices. Dr. Shelly referenced studies showing that eating high amounts of processed food, even with low calories, can hinder weight loss. She recommends cooking at home with fresh food and avoiding vending machines and fast food.

Lack of sleep is another overlooked issue in weight management. “Studies show that when you're sleeping under five hours, your hunger hormone increases, then your weight also increases,” she said. A behavioral health specialist can help you work on improving your sleep health if needed.

Have weight loss drugs eclipsed bariatric surgery?

For years, bariatric surgery on the stomach or intestines has been used to induce weight loss.

Bariatric surgery patients can lose an average of 30 to 35% of their body weight. This is higher than the average loss of patients taking the latest medications. Insurance plans often cover surgery because of the costly and serious medical complications of obesity.

Dr. Shelly stressed that care teams work with you to create treatment plans that fit your conditions, medical histories and personal situations. Then, your care team sticks by you throughout treatment.

She also encourages you to visit your doctors and learn more about new ways to treat obesity. “At Wellstar Centers of Best Health, we’re ready and able to help you,” she said.

To hear more from Dr. Shelly, you can listen to her podcast, “Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss.”

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Healthcare leaders and providers breaking ground for the new cancer center being built at Wellstar Spalding Medical Center

Newsroom

Wellstar Expanding Cancer Care in Spalding County

At Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, we are your dedicated healthcare partner—putting you at the center of your cancer care and helping you navigate with clarity, hope and compassion. That’s why we’re proud to expand our medical oncology and infusion services to better serve our community.

The state-of-the-art cancer care facility promises greater access to advanced cancer treatments and improved convenience for patients in the Spalding community and surrounding areas.

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