Early cancer detection significantly increases survival rates and reduces the overall health and financial burden. In this episode, Trudy McKanna, Senior Field Medical Director for GRAIL, discusses how Galleri multi-cancer early detection technology is transforming screening by identifying signals for more than 50 cancers through a simple blood draw. She explains how methylation patterns, cell-free DNA, and machine learning allow clinicians to pinpoint potential cancer origins before symptoms appear. Trudy shares data showing that adding this test to standard screening detects seven times more cancers, with over half found at early stages, while maintaining a remarkably low false-positive rate. She also highlights its impact on underserved communities, population health scalability, and the importance of rigorous clinical validation. Tune in and discover how early detection can transform cancer outcomes.
About Trudy McKanna:
Trudy McKanna is an accomplished medical affairs leader with extensive experience across medical education, field medical strategy, and people management. Currently serving as Senior Field Medical Director at GRAIL, she brings more than two decades of expertise spanning oncology, organ health, genetics, and medical ethics. Prior to GRAIL, she spent nine years at Natera in progressively senior roles, including Senior Director of Medical Affairs for Organ Health, where she led medical strategy, built and managed high-performing teams, and shaped national KOL engagement efforts across transplant and renal genetics. Her background includes over a decade as a genetic counselor and supervisor at Spectrum Health, leadership roles in professional organizations such as the Michigan Association of Genetic Counselors, and academic appointments with Michigan State University. As co-founder and vice president of the Rockford Food Allergy Network, she also helped strengthen community education and advocacy around food allergy awareness. Trudy holds a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biochemistry from Hope College.
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