Multi-cancer early detection · London
Galleri multi-cancer blood test - London.
A single blood sample screened for signals of more than 50 cancer types. Arranged privately in London with pre-test counselling and consultant-led follow-up if a signal is found. £950 to £1,400 all-inclusive.
What Galleri is
One blood sample. A methylation pattern read for a shared cancer signal.
Galleri is a blood test developed by GRAIL that analyses cell-free DNA methylation patterns. It is not diagnostic on its own. A positive result triggers targeted imaging or biopsy.
All cells release small fragments of DNA into the bloodstream. Cancer cells carry a distinctive pattern of chemical marks (methylation) on that DNA. Galleri uses targeted methylation sequencing and a machine-learning classifier to look for the shared methylation signature of cancer across more than 50 tumour types from a single 40 ml venous blood sample.
When a signal is detected, the report also predicts a Cancer Signal Origin (CSO), a best-guess of where in the body the signal is coming from. The CSO does not diagnose the cancer. It directs the next step, telling your clinician which imaging or endoscopy to order first rather than starting from scratch with a whole-body workup.
In one line
A screening blood test that looks for a shared cancer signal, then tells your clinician where to look next.
Evidence and status
Promising, but not yet standard of care.
Galleri is a rapidly evolving test. We say plainly where the evidence sits today so you can make an informed choice.
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PATHFINDER studies
Real-world evaluation in adults aged 50 and over. Positive signal rate around 1%, with about 40% of positives confirmed as cancer on structured follow-up.
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NHS-Galleri trial
Ongoing randomised trial of 140,000 NHS participants. Full outcome data expected 2026 to 2027 and will inform any NHS rollout.
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FDA breakthrough device
Granted breakthrough device designation by the US FDA. Not yet approved as a routine screening test in the UK.
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NICE and NHS status
Not currently NICE-approved as routine screening. Available privately only. It is complementary to existing NHS screening programmes, not a substitute.
Who benefits
Designed for adults 50 and over, not for symptoms.
Galleri is a screening test in asymptomatic adults. If you have symptoms suggesting cancer, you need a targeted diagnostic workup, not an MCED test.
Likely to benefit
- Adults aged 50 and over at average or increased risk of cancer.
- Personal or family history that raises baseline cancer risk.
- Wanting a single-test screen alongside every existing NHS screening programme.
Not intended for
- Symptomatic patients. Symptoms need targeted diagnostic imaging or endoscopy, not screening.
- Anyone under 50 with no elevated risk factors, where the pre-test probability is very low.
- Patients seeking a substitute for mammography, colonoscopy, cervical or lung screening.
What it detects best
Later-stage cancers, and cancers with no routine screen.
Sensitivity rises steeply with stage. The real value sits in cancers the NHS does not currently screen for.
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Later-stage sensitivity 60-80%
Sensitivity is strongest for stage III and IV cancers, where the tumour is shedding a larger amount of DNA into the bloodstream.
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Stage I sensitivity 15-25%
Only a minority of the earliest cancers shed enough DNA to register a signal. Galleri is not designed as a stage I screening tool.
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Cancers without a screening programme
Strongest incremental value in pancreatic, ovarian, oesophageal, gastric, liver, lung and head and neck cancers, which currently have no routine screen.
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Haematological and other cancers
Also strong signal for lymphoma, myeloma, cervical and colorectal disease across the full stage range.
What it does not replace
Complementary to existing screening, never a substitute.
Continue every NHS or private screening programme you are eligible for. Galleri sits alongside them, not in place of them.
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Mammography
Galleri sensitivity for early breast cancer is around 30%. Mammography remains the primary breast screen. Galleri does not replace it.
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Colonoscopy or FIT
Galleri sensitivity for stage I colorectal cancer is around 20%. Colonoscopy or FIT remains the primary bowel screen.
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Low-dose CT for lung
For patients meeting lung screening criteria (age and smoking history), LDCT is more sensitive for early lung nodules.
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PSA and prostate mpMRI
Prostate screening remains PSA-based with mpMRI confirmation. Galleri is not a replacement.
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Cervical screening
HPV-based cervical screening remains the primary test. Galleri complements but does not replace it.
Procedure and cost
One 40 ml blood draw. Results in 10 to 14 days.
No fasting required. Pre-test genetic counselling and consultant-led review of any positive result are included in the price ranges below.
In short
Galleri in London: £950 to £1,400, all-inclusive of counselling and follow-up. Almost always self-pay.
| Provider | Indicative price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| HCA The Wellington Cancer Centre | £1,150-£1,400 | Consultant, counselling, follow-up pathway |
| London Medical | £950-£1,150 | Test plus phlebotomy and report review |
| Randox Health | £995-£1,200 | Test with basic pre-test consult |
| GRAIL UK partner clinics | £950-£1,300 | Certified provider, standard workflow |
| Private oncologist via NHIS | £1,200-£1,400 | Full consultant pathway, MDT if positive |
UK private medical insurance rarely reimburses Galleri because it is not NICE-approved as routine screening. Assume self-pay unless your insurer confirms otherwise in writing.
Interpreting the report
Two headline results. One important nuance.
Every Galleri report is reviewed with a consultant. A positive result is not a diagnosis, and a negative result is not a clean bill of health.
- 01 Negative
Cancer Signal Not Detected
Reassuring but not zero risk. Sensitivity for stage I disease is limited. Continue every existing screening programme and repeat Galleri annually if you wish to remain in a monitoring pathway.
- 02 Positive
Cancer Signal Detected
A signal has been found and the report gives a predicted Cancer Signal Origin (CSO). This triggers a structured diagnostic workup, not a diagnosis. Around 40% of positive results in the PATHFINDER studies were confirmed as cancer.
- 03 CSO prediction
Guides targeted imaging
The predicted origin (for example upper gastrointestinal, or lung) directs which imaging is ordered first, cutting the search from whole-body to targeted CT, PET-CT, mammogram, colonoscopy or endoscopy.
- 04 False positive
Around 50% of positives
Roughly half of Cancer Signal Detected results are not confirmed as cancer after workup. Patients should understand this before opting in.
If the result is positive
A structured pathway, guided by the CSO.
A positive result triggers targeted imaging within two weeks. The Cancer Signal Origin prediction tells the team which test to run first.
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Step 1
Consultant review
A consultant oncologist reviews the report, your history and any prior imaging within one working day.
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Step 2
Targeted imaging
CT, PET-CT, mammogram, colonoscopy or endoscopy directed by the predicted Cancer Signal Origin.
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Step 3
Biopsy if needed
Any suspicious finding on imaging is confirmed with image-guided biopsy and pathology.
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Step 4
MDT and plan
Confirmed cancers are discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting and moved into a treatment pathway. Not all detectable cancers are curable, but earlier detection may improve outcomes.
Related tests
Where Galleri fits alongside existing screens.
Galleri does not replace routine screening. These are the tests we most often arrange alongside it.
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Full-body MRI
Radiation-free imaging screen for structural disease across the body.
Learn more -
PET-CT
Functional-plus-anatomical imaging often used to work up a positive Galleri result.
Learn more -
Private mammogram
Primary breast screen. Galleri is not a substitute.
Learn more -
Colonoscopy
Primary bowel screen. Galleri does not replace it.
Learn more -
Prostate mpMRI
Primary prostate assessment when PSA is elevated.
Learn more -
ctDNA monitoring
Post-treatment liquid biopsy for known cancer, not screening.
Learn more -
Tumour molecular profiling
Genomic characterisation of a confirmed tumour for treatment selection.
Learn more -
BRCA genetic test
Hereditary risk assessment for breast, ovarian and related cancers.
Learn more
Insurance status in the UK
Galleri is almost always self-funded. We confirm insurer status in writing before booking, but assume self-pay.
Frequently asked
What patients ask before booking Galleri.
Honest answers on accuracy, insurance, false positives and NHS availability.
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How accurate is the Galleri test?
In the PATHFINDER studies, around 1% of adults aged 50 and over had a Cancer Signal Detected result. About 40% of those positives were confirmed as cancer after workup, meaning roughly half of positives were false alarms. Sensitivity is highest for later-stage cancers (60-80%) and lower for stage I disease (15-25%). Specificity across all cancers is around 99.5%.
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Does Galleri replace mammograms, colonoscopy or cervical screening?
No. Galleri is complementary. Its sensitivity for early breast cancer is only around 30% and for stage I colorectal cancer around 20%. Continue every existing NHS screening programme you are eligible for. Galleri adds coverage for cancers without a routine screen, such as pancreatic, ovarian, oesophageal, gastric and liver cancer.
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Will UK private medical insurance cover Galleri?
Very rarely. Most UK insurers do not currently reimburse Galleri because it is not NICE-approved as routine screening. It is almost always self-funded. We confirm with your insurer before booking.
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What does a negative Galleri result actually tell me?
It tells you no cancer signal was detected in this sample. It does not mean cancer is absent, particularly for stage I disease where the test is far less sensitive. Treat it as one reassuring data point alongside your other screening, not a clean bill of health.
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How likely is a false positive?
Around half of Cancer Signal Detected results are not confirmed as cancer on follow-up imaging or biopsy. That is a meaningful anxiety and cost burden and should be discussed at the pre-test counselling stage before you opt in.
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Can I get Galleri on the NHS?
Not routinely. The NHS-Galleri trial has invited 140,000 participants and full outcome data is expected in 2026 to 2027. Any wider NHS rollout will depend on those results and a NICE review. In the meantime, Galleri is available in the UK on a private, self-pay basis only.
Speak to a consultant
Considering Galleri? We will help you decide if it is the right test for you.
A short, confidential conversation with a clinician. Free. We come back within one working day with a recommendation, a firm quote and, if you proceed, a clear plan for follow-up.