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The Vanguard Study: Testing a New Way to Screen For Cancer
What if there was a simple blood test that could detect and screen for multiple cancers at once?
The Vanguard Study is a nationwide effort exploring whether a new type of blood test, called a Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test, can help find cancer early, even before symptoms appear. By taking part, you can help researchers learn more about how these new technologies may work for people from all communities.
Henry Ford Health is part of this important national research effort supported by the National Cancer Institute. This opportunity through the Cancer Screening Research Network gives our community a meaningful way to contribute to research that may help improve future cancer screening and ensures representation in studies that may shape tomorrow’s discoveries.
Help improve early cancer detection
Too often, cancer goes undetected until it is at an advanced stage and harder to treat. Fear and worry about the possibility of having cancer can feel overwhelming. Therefore, taking steps to find cancer early can help you feel more in control of your health. Earlier detection of cancer can also improve the chance of survival and quality of life.
A blood test designed to detect multiple types of cancer
There are over 50 types of cancer, but only screening tests for 5 of those (colon, lung, breast, cervical, and prostate).
The Vanguard Study will test the performance of new technologies for cancer screening called multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests, which use a single blood sample.
Your participation will help us learn if these tests can help people from all backgrounds find cancer earlier, when it is easier to treat.
Because we do not know how well these tests will work, it is important that you stay up to date with regular cancer screening tests. If you’re not sure what those are, please visit Cancer Screening and Prevention to learn more and talk to your doctor.
Who can Join Vanguard?
To join Vanguard, you must:
- Be between ages 45-75 years old.
- No current cancer diagnosis and have not received a cancer diagnosis within the past 5 years.
Not sure if you’re eligible to join? Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VangardStudy@hfhs.org
Who’s Making these New Screening Tests?
- Avantect MCD Test by ClearNote Health, headquartered in San Diego, California
- ShieldTM MCD Test by Guardant Health, headquartered in Palo Alto, California
Where is the Study Happening?
The Vanguard Study includes nine enrollment sites across the United States, each contributing to national research on new ways to screen for cancer. These locations bring researchers, clinicians, and study teams into communities to better understand how early detection technologies may work for everyone.
Henry Ford Health is one of these national sites, selected by the National Cancer Institute to help lead this important research in Michigan and beyond.
Overseeing the study locally from our Henry Ford Health team:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Vanguard Study?The Vanguard Study is a research study that can help us learn more about if new types of blood screening tests for cancer, called multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests, work for people who are eligible to be screened for cancer.
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What are MCDs?
Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests in this study are designed to detect biological substances released into the bloodstream by cancers cells. Each MCD test screens for several kinds of cancers. No MCD tests screen for every type of cancer. The MCD tests in this study will screen for the following cancers: Bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, stomach, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate.
It is important to know that as cancer screening tests, MCDs are not perfect. This means sometimes a test will come back abnormal (or positive) when in fact there is not cancer. In other cases, the MCD test will read negative when cancer is present. When a test comes back abnormal (or positive), further testing will be needed to find out if cancer is present.
Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VanguardStudy@hfhs.org -
What are the goals and key objectives of the Vanguard Study?
This study is the first part of a larger plan to evaluate how well MCD tests work for adults eligible for cancer screening across the United States. To be successful as a screening test, people must be able to access the test, get results in a timely fashion, and receive appropriate follow-up tests when there is an abnormal result. Our goal is to learn more about MCD tests and find out if they can help people find cancer early when it may be easier to treat.
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Who is eligible to participate?
- Ages 45-75 years old.
- Do not currently have a cancer diagnosis and have not received a cancer diagnosis within the past 5 years.
- Willing to give blood samples at enrollment and after 1 year.
- Understand and be able to complete study documents in English, Spanish, or Arabic.
- Allow the research team to review their medical record information.
- Not currently breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant within the next year.
- Not currently participating in another study testing a new cancer screening method or technology.
Not sure if you’re eligible to join? Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VanguardStudy@hfhs.org -
What is expected from me if I participate in the Vanguard Study?
All participants provide a blood sample at enrollment and 1 year after enrollment. Two study groups will have their blood tested using an MCD test and one group will not have their blood tested with an MCD test. Everyone will also fill out 3 questionnaires: at enrollment, 1 year after enrollment and 2 years after enrollment. Some participants will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire approximately 3 months after enrollment and 15 months after enrollment.
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How do I enroll in the Vanguard Study?
Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VanguardStudy@hfhs.org -
Can I continue my usual medical care while in the study?
Yes, we encourage you to continue receiving your usual medical care and currently recommended cancer screenings for you while in the study. Participating in this study will not impact your ability to receive medical care.
Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VanguardStudy@hfhs.org -
What if I am already receiving regular cancer screening?
Participating in this study does not replace regular cancer screening. It is important to continue with regularly recommended cancer screening.
Take the next step
Please contact the Vanguard team at Henry Ford Health:
Phone: 1-313-874-4969
Email: VanguardStudy@hfhs.org