Regarding Signatera testing, it is a good test yet need to be very concerned about the home draw. They hire phlebotomists who use their PERSONAL CELL phone to take photos of your filled blood vials, paperwork which has your name, address, CA diagnosis listed, doctor's name, all of your HIPPA protected PHI (Personal Health Information). The photos are not secure or protected.
The concerns are:
1) Who else & what apps have access to their PERSONAL CELL photo files?
2) How are the photos transmitted to Signatera, what platform is used, if it is SMS it may not be end-to-end encrypted.
3) The photos of your HIPPA protected PHI remains forever on their personal cell phone.
If the draw is done at an MD or hospital no photos are taken and the patient can take the package to FedEx themselves or the MD/hospital uses their FedEx pick-up.
The question is why are home draws subjected to separate rules, why aren't their phlebotomists trusted with taking the draw without photos? I have asked these questions and after multiple emails cannot get a clear answer from Natera - Signatera. Please ask these questions of Signatera and PLEASE join me in objecting to photos being taken with personal cell phones. Thank you.