GRAIL Galleri Cancer Screening Tool

What is the GRAIL Galleri® test?

The GRAIL Galleri® test is a new early cancer screening tool. This single test screens for over 50 types of cancer. These include cancers you might have a higher risk of developing, such as pancreatic cancers. The Defense Health Agency approved this test for annual screenings for TRICARE patients 50 years or older with a higher risk of cancer.

You must obtain a pre-authorization before receiving the test. If you don’t, you could pay unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.

How does the test work?

The person administering the test will take one blood sample from you. The test will then look for any signals or patterns associated with cancer. If it finds a signal, it will predict where the cancer is located.

Note: The GRAIL Galleri® test should not be used as a substitute for diagnostic testing. Please use the test results along with other cancer screening tools recommended by your health care provider.

Why should I use the GRAIL Galleri® test?

The GRAIL Galleri® test screens for many types of cancer and precancer that standard screening tests can’t detect. On average, the GRAIL Galleri® test can detect cancer one year before clinical diagnosis. The test:

  • Accurately detects cancer seven times out of 10.
  • Accurately predicts the type of cancer and its location nine times out of 10.
  • Accurately shows positive results when testing someone with cancer four times out of 10.

Other cancer screening tests don't accurately detect cancer as often. The GRAIL Galleri® test has also been tested and verified by two large-scale, peer-reviewed studies as an effective test.

Your healthcare provider will use their best clinical judgment when deciding if the GRAIL Galleri® test is right for you, as well as when interpreting test results to guide further testing and treatment.

Is the GRAIL Galleri® test FDA-approved?

No, the GRAIL Galleri® test is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The DHA approved the test as a Laboratory Developed Test, so you can still receive the test under TRICARE guidelines.

How do I know if I should ask my doctor about the GRAIL Galleri® test?

The GRAIL Galleri® test works best for patients 50 years or older with a higher risk of developing cancer. If any of these situations apply to you, you may have a higher risk of developing cancer:

  • You have documented military service-related exposure to occupational hazards, or materials, that can cause cancer, such as asbestos, Agent Orange, or burn pit smoke.
  • You have had cancer in the past that required immediate intervention, and it’s been at least three years since your last treatment.
  • Your biological parent, sibling, or child has gotten a cancer diagnosis.
  • You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more.
  • You currently smoke or vape one pack per day and have done so for 20 years or more.
  • You have quit smoking or vaping (more than 20 packs a year) in the past 15 years.
  • You have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • You have received a solid organ transplant in the past.

If you're 50 years or older, and you believe you have an elevated risk of cancer, ask your healthcare provider if the GRAIL Galleri® test is right for you. Please note that TRICARE only covers the GRAIL Galleri® test once in your lifetime.

How do I know if I shouldn’t get the test? Are there any risks?

If you’re below the age of 50, or if you’re 50 years or older but don’t have any other risk factors, you may not meet TRICARE requirements for the GRAIL Galleri® test.

Consider if knowing the results of the test is the right decision for you. False positive results can occur with the GRAIL Galleri test. Per the National Library of Medicine’s Cancer Screening page, false-positive results from cancer screenings can cause “potential overdiagnosis” and “undue anxiety.” Remember that the GRAIL Galleri® test is not a replacement for proper diagnostic testing.

How do I get a GRAIL Galleri® test?

Your healthcare provider will have to request a pre-authorization your you from TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the TRICARE West Region contractor. To do so, your provider will ask you to complete an informed consent document. Once the authorization gets approved, your provider can order the test. Your provider can learn more about the test at the Galleri® Get Started page.

Where can I learn more about the GRAIL Galleri® test?

Visit the Galleri® Patient Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the GRAIL Galleri® test.

Last Updated 1/14/2026