Current:Home > MyHealth firm wrongly told hundreds of people they might have cancer -Thrive Money Mindset
Health firm wrongly told hundreds of people they might have cancer
View
Date:2025-04-27 20:53:42
A biotechnology company selling a $949 blood test that it bills as a "first of its kind" to detect cancer said it incorrectly informed about 400 customers that they might have the disease.
The Menlo Park, California, company, called Grail, said it sent a form letter to some customers who had bought its Galleri test, which detects a marker for more than 50 types of cancer, "stating incorrectly that a cancer signal was detected," a company spokeswoman told CBS MoneyWatch in a statement.
The company blamed a vendor, PWN Health, for the error, citing a "software configuration issue."
In a statement, PWN Health said it said the problem was due to "a misconfiguration of our patient engagement platform used to send templated communications to individuals." It added that it has added processes to make sure such a mistake doesn't occur again, and started contacting the people who received the erroneous letters within 36 hours.
The error comes amid an increased demand for health care screening tests, especially for chronic diseases such as cancer. Grail is billing its service as a complement to routine single-cancer tests for diseases such as colon or breast cancer, and said that the blood test can detect forms of the disease that aren't routinely screened for, such as in the gallbladder and pancreas.
Grail said it hasn't received reports of patient harm or "adverse events" due to the erroneous letters.
"After being notified of the incident, Grail immediately began outreach by phone or email to all individuals who received the PWNHealth letter, and we continued our efforts until we confirmed we successfully reached each individual via phone, email or letter," the spokeswoman said.
She added, "The issue was in no way related to or caused by an incorrect Galleri laboratory test result."
More than half the erroneous letters were sent to customers who hadn't had their blood drawn yet for the Galleri test, the spokeswoman added.
- In:
- Cancer
veryGood! (46)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Powerball winning numbers for September 9: Jackpot rises to $121 million
- Southwest Airlines under pressure from a big shareholder shakes up its board
- Judge tosses suit seeking declaration that Georgia officials don’t have to certify election results
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Omaha police arrest suspect after teen critically hurt in shooting at high school
- Get 50% Off Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Face Tightener, Kyle Richards’ Unite Detangler, Plus $4 Ulta Deals
- Delaware primary to decide governor’s contest and could pave the path for US House history
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Alanis Morissette, Nia Long, Kyrie Irving celebrate 20 years of 3.1 Phillip Lim at NYFW
Ranking
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Dave Mason, the 'Forrest Gump of rock,' shares tales of Traffic, Beatles in memoir
- 49ers vs. Jets Monday Night Football live updates: Odds, predictions, how to watch
- Tyreek Hill: What to know about Dolphins star after clash with Miami police
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife reveals pregnancy with 3rd child at emotional double funeral
- 'Hotter than it's ever been': How this 93-year-old copes with Phoenix's 100-degree heat
- DNC meets Olympics: Ella Emhoff, Mindy Kaling, Suni Lee sit front row at Tory Burch NYFW show
Recommendation
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Cleveland Browns sign former Giants, Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney to practice squad
Rachel Zoe and Husband Rodger Berman Break Up, Divorcing After 26 Years of Marriage
Illinois man wrongly imprisoned for murder wins $50 million jury award
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Take 50% Off a Peter Thomas Roth Serum That Instantly Tightens and Lifts Skin & More Sephora Deals
Airbnb allows fans of 'The Vampire Diaries' to experience life in Mystic Falls
The 49ers spoil Aaron Rodgers’ return with a 32-19 win over the Jets