OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Join the Pathfinder 2 Study to Find Cancer Early

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Help improve cancer early detection

Too often, cancer isn’t found until it’s advanced and harder to treat. Worrying about having cancer can also feel overwhelming. Taking steps to find cancer early can help you feel more in control of your health. Finding cancer early also improves the chance of survival.

A blood test designed to detect many cancer types

The Pathfinder 2 study will check how well an early test called Galleri® detects many cancer types. It uses a simple blood draw.

This test is being studied and is not approved or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not meant to replace cancer screening tests your health care provider may recommend, such as colonoscopy or mammography.

OHSU joins with other sites to recruit 20,000 participants

The Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) Center at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is a national study site selected by GRAIL, Inc., a health care company dedicated to detecting cancer early. The study aims to improve early cancer detection.

Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, associate professor of radiation medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, is the principal investigator of the study. 

Who can take part?

The Pathfinder 2 study is open to those who:

  • Are 50-79* years old and 
  • Have never been diagnosed with cancer or
  • Have been cancer-free at least three years.

Participants in previous or ongoing GRAIL-sponsored studies are not eligible.

*At this time we are directing our enrollment focus toward certain groups that are currently underrepresented in the Pathfinder 2 study population and have halted recruitment of Caucasian individuals ages 50-59. Read about our diversity initiatives.

What will I do?

You will be asked to:

  • Contact the study team to see if you are eligible to enroll.
  • If eligible, read and sign an informed consent form that fully explains the study.
  • Provide your medical history and allow the team access to your medical records.
  • Give a blood sample (40 ml; about 1.3 ounces), drawn by a trained practitioner.
  • Complete a questionnaire around the time you have the Galleri test.
  • Expect to receive your Galleri test result from the study team within 30 days after your blood is drawn.
  • Complete 2-3 more questionnaires.

If you choose to take part in the Pathfinder 2 study, it is important that you follow your health care provider’s recommendations for any cancer screening tests, such as colonoscopy or mammography. Missing recommended screening or ignoring symptoms could delay a cancer diagnosis.

How to enroll

The Knight Cancer Institute is coordinating with health care organizations across Oregon to offer the Pathfinder 2 study in a variety of locations. Contact a study coordinator to learn more:

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in the Portland metro area
503-418-8150
pathfinder@ohsu.edu

Did you take part in the Pathfinder 1 study at OHSU?

If you have any questions, contact a study coordinator:

Learn more about clinical trials

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