The answers you need
About the test
Cancer is a disease that happens when the body’s normal process of cell growth and multiplication doesn’t work correctly.
The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cells normally grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. These new cells replace cells that have died because they are old or damaged. Sometimes, genetic (DNA) changes occur that cause this normal process of cell growth and multiplication to not work the right way. This means that abnormal or damaged cells can start to grow uncontrollably, often forming lumps of tissue known as tumors. Some tumors can be cancerous while others are not. A cancerous tumor can grow and spread to other parts of the body.
The Cancerguard test is a single blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test. It detects signals in the blood that may be found in many types of cancer, when cancer may be more treatable—especially for some types of cancer that have no other routine screening method.
When cancer isn’t found at an early stage, it will continue to grow and may spread to other parts of the body, making it harder to treat. Finding cancer early, before it spreads, may help increase the chances of treating and potentially surviving cancer.
The Cancerguard test looks for multiple signals associated with cancer in the blood. A program then calculates if cancer may be present and delivers a positive or negative result. If there is a positive signal detected, imaging (radiology) scans and other medical tests are typically needed to locate and confirm diagnosis.
You may be offered this test if:
- You’re between the ages of 50-84
- You haven’t had a cancer diagnosis in the last 3 years
- A healthcare provider determines you are an appropriate patient for the test
The Cancerguard® test helps detect over 50 cancer types and subtypes.
The Cancerguard® test helps detect over 50 cancer types and subtypes.
Test development studies have shown that the Cancerguard test can detect cancers including lung, breast,* colorectal, prostate,* uterus, pancreas, head and neck, kidney, stomach, bladder, esophagus, liver, anus, ovary, cervix, thyroid, vulva, small intestine, testis, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
*The Cancerguard test is not indicated for screening of breast and prostate cancer. This test is not a replacement for existing recommended cancer screening or diagnostic modalities for cancer.
No. This test does not confirm the presence, type, or stage of cancer. After a positive Cancerguard test, follow-up imaging (radiology) scans and other medical tests are needed to locate and confirm the presence of cancer. If cancer is present, further evaluation will be needed to determine the type and stage.
The self-pay price of the Cancerguard test is $689. Pricing is subject to change at any time.
If you currently do not have a doctor, this test can be ordered through our consumer-initiated ordering website where you will receive telehealth services from a licensed health care provider.
Taking the test
The Cancerguard test is a blood test performed on samples collected through a blood draw. Blood samples are sent to the laboratory for testing to look for signals in the blood that may be found in many types of cancer.
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the test.
You should have your blood drawn at a laboratory/phlebotomy location associated with your clinic or health care system.
If you are not able to have your blood drawn within your clinic or health care system or you requested the Cancerguard test on Cancerguard.com, you can have your blood drawn using Exact Sciences-managed services. Exact Sciences has a broad phlebotomy network across the U.S. that includes Quest® laboratories and other mobile phlebotomy partners. Exact Sciences-managed blood collection options and availability vary by zip code and are not guaranteed.
There is no additional cost to you to have your blood drawn using Exact Sciences-managed phlebotomy services.
When we receive the test order, we will ship a kit directly to your home at the address that is included with the order. The kit should be delivered to you within 2 to 3 days. You should not open the kit yourself. The phlebotomist will be responsible for opening the kit, collecting and packaging your sample, and shipping the kit to the lab.
You will also receive text and/or email communications (depending on the contact information included with the order) which will prompt you to schedule a blood draw at a time and location that is convenient for you.
The test results will be available and sent to your healthcare provider in about 2 weeks after our laboratory receives your blood samples.
If you had your test ordered by your health care provider, call the health care provider who placed the order if you want to cancel the test. Your provider will need to contact Exact Sciences.
If you requested the Cancerguard test through cancerguard.com then you should contact Exact Sciences Customer Care at
If your blood sample has already been shipped to Exact Sciences, the test is considered in process, and it may not be possible for it to be cancelled.
Results
A negative result means that the blood test did not identify a cancer signal. Not every cancer will give off enough signals for the test to detect, which means that a negative result doesn’t guarantee you’re cancer-free. The Cancerguard test can’t rule out cancer of any kind. You should continue all routine cancer screening tests recommended by your healthcare provider.
Yes. The Cancerguard® test can’t rule out cancer of any kind. Some cancers do not give off signals that can be detected by the test. If the Cancerguard test doesn’t find cancer but the patient does have cancer, that’s called a “false negative.” You should continue with all routine cancer screening tests recommended by your healthcare provider. The Cancerguard test may be offered as part of your routine care.
A positive result means that the blood test identified a cancer signal that may indicate the presence of cancer. It is not a diagnosis and does not confirm that you have cancer. Imaging (radiology) scans and other medical tests are typically needed to locate and confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Yes. If the Cancerguard® test found a cancer signal in your blood sample, but you don’t actually have cancer, that’s called a “false positive.”
Follow up
Yes. Exact Sciences offers Positive Result Support that consists of two parts. Care Navigation and an Imaging Reimbursement Program. Care Navigation is designed to help guide you through the next steps for follow-up care. The Imaging Reimbursement Program is intended to help reduce the financial impact of non-covered imaging costs for eligible patients who need to undergo follow-up imaging after receiving a positive Cancerguard test. Patients must apply. Eligibility depends on program qualifications and is not guaranteed. The program will not reimburse any covered imaging costs, including copay, coinsurance, and/or deductible amounts determined by insurance.
Exact Sciences partners with a third-party Care Navigation team, Health Advocate that can help with the following services:
- Help with identifying available options for where to go for next steps, such as imaging (radiology) scans
- Assistance with scheduling necessary follow-up appointments
- Help assess and address barriers to completing follow-up imaging (radiology) scans
- Provide eligibility details for our imaging patient reimbursement program
Your healthcare provider may consider a variety of testing options and will choose what is most appropriate based on your individual circumstance.
If follow-up imaging tests or other medical tests find cancer or other significant findings, your health care team will work with you on next steps and help create a treatment plan that makes sense for your specific situation.
If follow-up tests do not show cancer or significant findings, the Cancerguard test may have given a false positive result. A false positive result is when the test finds a cancer signal, but cancer is not detected with follow-up testing. You should continue to follow the care plan and advice of your health care provider. It’s important to stay up to date with all other routine cancer screening tests recommended by your healthcare provider.
Coverage for these tests may vary by insurance and health plans. When you discuss your next steps with your provider, ask them for coverage information. You can also contact your insurance company directly.
Yes. It is important to keep up to date with your other routine screening tests. Tests like mammograms, colonoscopies, or stool-based colorectal cancer screening tests have been proven to help detect cancer earlier. Using the Cancerguard test with other routine cancer screening tests together may help expand the types of cancer that may be found through screening.
Your healthcare provider can discuss your cancer screening plan with you. But if you’d like to find out more about the Cancerguard® test, you can reach Customer Care at
