Hims, other telehealth platforms push multi-cancer detection tests before evidence of benefit Widespread use could catch some cancers early — or give patients false reassurance

https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/telehealth-firms-multi-cancer-tests-doctors-wary/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_06U1NPtQOUiEf7arMFDD28h5sh_8vHSJ7-GbrpnXJM-USMEXMM5GjKC-n77J9QpXZoa_lC9IFfH7f4YgHwNRe0mo1ig&_hsmi=402324933&utm_content=402324933&utm_source=hs_email By Katie PalmerFeb. 6, 2026 Health Tech Correspondent Be wary of multi-cancer early detection tests If you watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, you might catch a glimpse of Hims’ latest prime-time commercial: a minute-long slot featuring Galleri, a multi-cancer early detection test. The test is one of several that haven’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But telehealth platforms are still permitted to market them — a move that some cancer and health policy experts warn could give patients false reassurance before any evidence of benefit. Grail, Galleri’s developer, has faced many hurdles as it worked to validate its blood-based test for detecting dozens of tumor types. If you get a positive test result, it’s often right. But a negative result shouldn’t elicit a sigh of relief — in one study, Galleri missed more cancers than it detected. There are more risks, still. As usual, STAT’s Katie Palmer has you covered on all things telehealth.