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Hims & Hers Super Bowl Ad For Cancer Test Raises Questions Over Reliability, Ethics - Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS)
Benzinga· 2026-02-09 08:30
Core Viewpoint - The Super Bowl advertisement by Hims & Hers has raised concerns regarding the reliability and ethical implications of its newly launched cancer-detection test, which aims to detect over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear [1][2]. Product Overview - The cancer-detection test, developed by Grail Inc., is designed to identify hard-to-detect cancers such as pancreatic and ovarian, which currently lack routine screening options [2]. - The advertisement suggests that the test democratizes access to healthcare, providing the same opportunities for cancer detection to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status [2]. Reliability Concerns - Critics have questioned the test's reliability, noting that Grail Inc. recommends follow-up medical testing to confirm any cancer diagnosis [3]. - Interim results indicate that the test detects approximately 40% of cancers, meaning it misses more than half of cases even when cancer is present [3]. Expert Opinions - Eric Topol from Scripps Research acknowledged that the test could be beneficial for individuals at high risk of cancer but cautioned that widespread use might lead to financial waste and misleading results [4]. Pricing and Accessibility - Hims & Hers plans to offer the test to subscribers of its $350 lab service at a price of $700, which is about a 25% discount from the manufacturer's list price [4]. Regulatory Status - Grail has sought approval from the FDA under the most stringent regulatory pathway for medical devices and diagnostics [5]. Financial Performance - Hims & Hers reported disappointing Q3 earnings, with an EPS of 6 cents, missing estimates, while revenue reached $598.97 million, exceeding expectations [6]. - The company has guided fourth-quarter revenue below consensus and adjusted its 2025 revenue outlook to align with analyst forecasts [6]. Market Performance - Hims & Hers is ranked in the 87th percentile for growth and the 7th percentile for value, indicating mixed performance [7]. - Over the past year, the stock has declined by 48.58%, closing at $23.02 after a 1.96% drop on the last trading day [7].