#525: Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
4.8 • 3.3K Ratings
🗓️ 18 May 2026
⏱️ 49 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Cut through the hype of Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tests and learn how to counsel patients on the real-world utility, false-positive risks, and the "stage shift" debate of these emerging blood assays. We are joined by world-renowned oncologist Dr. Margaret Tempero,UCSF Cancer Early Detection and Interception, to discuss whether these tests are truly ready for clinical prime time.
Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Patreon | Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | YouTube | Newsletter | Contact | Swag! | CME
Show Segments
- 00:00 IntroductionÂ
- 01:57 Current Cancer Screening ProgramsÂ
- 06:05 Emerging Blood-Based Cancer TestsÂ
- 11:55 Test Characteristics and LimitationsÂ
- 18:05 Practical Considerations for PatientsÂ
- 25:33 Direct-to-Consumer Testing/Whole Body MRIs
- 36:46 Navigating Positive Test ResultsÂ
- 45:10 Anxiety and Patient EducationÂ
- 47:08 Future Directions in Cancer ScreeningÂ
- Outro
Credits
- Producer, Writer, Show Notes, Infographic, Cover Art: Molly Heublein MD
- Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACPÂ Â
- Reviewer: Sai S Achi MD,MBA,FACP
- Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
- Technical Production: PodPaste
- Guest: Margaret Tempero, MD
Disclosures
Dr. Tempero reports the following financial relationships:
Grail (research support), Global Bio Access Fund (Advisor), Bristol Myers Squibb (Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc.), Astra Zeneca (Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc), Immunovia (Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc.), Merck (advisory committee), Renovo Rx (advisory committee), Urogen (Advisor). Financial relationships have not ended.
The Curbsiders report no relevant financial disclosures.Â
Sponsor: FIGSÂ
Curbsiders listeners can get 15% off. Just go to WearFIGS.com and use code FIGSRX. Â
Sponsor: Freed
Try Freed Front Desk free for 7 days at getfreed.ai/front-desk.
Sponsor: QuinceÂ
Go to Quince.com/curb for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Â
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hey, before we get to the show, I wanted to remind you to check out our Patreon at patreon.com |
| 0:05.4 | slash curbsiders. |
| 0:06.6 | If you haven't signed up yet, sign up now to get ad-free episodes, twice-monthly bonus episodes, |
| 0:11.8 | and a whole bunch of other cool stuff at patreon.com slash curbsiders. |
| 0:18.2 | You know, Paul, I started telling everybody the benefits of eating dried grapes. |
| 0:26.7 | I don't know, man. |
| 0:28.0 | I don't know. |
| 0:29.6 | I'm trying to force a raisin fun in there. |
| 0:31.9 | I feel like you could guess of this. |
| 0:33.8 | Yeah, we get there eventually. |
| 0:35.1 | Paul, it's about raisin awareness. |
| 0:37.2 | And that's what we're... So I don't say, yeah, I knew Raised had to be in there. The awareness, that's a nice touch. Paul, you'll notice that's lightly on topic for this evening. Sure, no strong work. Better than... I can't surpine, probably. The Curbsiders podcast is for entertainment, education, and information purposes only, and the topics discussed should not be used solely to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or conditions. For the more of the views and statements expressed on this podcast are solely those of the host and should not be interpreted to reflect official policy or position of any entity. Aside from possibly cash like more hostile and affiliate outreach programs, if indeed there are any. In fact, there are none. Pretty much we aren't responsible if you screw up. You should always do your own homework and let us know when we're worth. |
| 1:22.0 | Welcome back to the curbsiders. I'm Dr. Matthew Frank Guaddo, here with my great friend, |
| 1:27.1 | pun lover, and America's primary care physician, Dr. Paul Nelson Williams. Hi, Paul. |
| 1:28.3 | Hey, Matt. How are you? |
| 1:34.2 | I'm doing well. I always like, when you like my pun, it just feels like a better start to the show. |
| 2:04.6 | Which is why some of your episodes are bad. All right, Paul, we have a great show tonight, a great co-host as well. First, would you remind people, what do we do on curbsiders? Sure. As a reminder, Matt, we are the internal medicine podcast. We use expert interviews to bring in clinical pearls and practice changing knowledge. As you alluded to, we are joined by the Curbsiders, stalwart, teach creator, and showrunner, producer, writer, extraordinaire, the great Dr. Molly Hoibind. Molly, how are you? |
| 2:19.5 | I'm good. Thank you for that beautiful introduction, Paul, and happy to be here. We had a great discussion today about multi-gene early cancer detection testing, kind of the early stage that it's in, the promise that it might be able to offer, but also the real limitations that are currently present at this point. Our guest today is |
| 2:24.3 | Dr. Margaret Tempero. She is the deputy director of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer |
| 2:30.2 | Center at Mount Zion. She has led national research projects for gastrointestinal cancer, |
| 2:34.3 | including pancreatic cancer. She has held editorial positions on prestigious journals such as |
| 2:39.0 | cancer research, journal of clinical oncology, clinical cancer research, and the American |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 11 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.

