Dana-Farber Launches Cancer Detection Trial for Veterans - Boston 25 News, November 11, 2025
- Amy Vest
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 9
BOSTON — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has launched a new clinical trial aimed at detecting cancer earlier among U.S. veterans. The study, called the Sentinel Study, plans to enroll 1,500 veterans and is supported in part by a grant from the Department of Defense. By leveraging multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests, the trial aims to identify cancer signals long before symptoms appear, offering veterans a potentially life-saving advantage.
Veterans face a higher lifetime risk of cancer due to their exposure to environmental hazards such as asbestos, burn pits, PFCs, and Agent Orange. Experts estimate that veterans’ cancer risk is roughly 20% higher than the general population, underscoring the need for new screening methods. “Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Dr. Betsy O’Donnell, Director of Multi-Cancer Early Detection at Dana-Farber. “This study is designed to honor their service while advancing the science of early cancer detection.”
The Sentinel Study involves a simple procedure: participants provide two tubes of blood, which are analyzed for up to 50 types of cancer, including pancreatic, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers. These MCED tests are especially valuable because over 70% of cancers currently have no approved or recommended screening tests. If a test indicates a potential cancer signal, Dana-Farber will cover all follow-up evaluations and workups, ensuring participants receive comprehensive care without added financial burden.
Veterans can register online and take the test at a local facility, making the process convenient and accessible. By combining cutting-edge technology with a focus on veteran health, Dana-Farber hopes the trial will not only improve outcomes for participants but also contribute to the future of cancer screening and early detection.
“Our goal is to pair an unmet medical need with innovative technology to better serve those who have served our country,” Dr. O’Donnell added. “We hope this study will save lives and provide critical insights that will benefit all patients in the years to come.”
Source: Boston 25 News, November 11, 2025
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