Your routine cancer screenings look for one type of cancer at a time. Examples include a mammogram or a colonoscopy.
The Cancerguard® test is a new option to expand upon routine cancer screening. It uses a simple blood draw to detect many types of cancer.1 Cancerguard® is a complement to your routine screenings. It does not replace them.
Most types of cancer don’t have recommended screening options, such as pancreatic, ovarian, or liver cancer.2* The Cancerguard® test can help detect these cancers and more even before symptoms appear.1
When to Ask Your Doctor About Cancerguard®
You may want to ask about the Cancerguard® test if any of the following apply to you:
- You take a proactive approach to your health
- You have certain risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol use, or obesity†
- You have a family history of cancer or a known hereditary risk, such as BRCA or Lynch syndrome†
This test is not recommended for individuals who have had cancer within the past three years or who are pregnant, and it does not replace recommended screening. Cancer survivors who are at least 3 years post diagnosis may benefit from expanded screening. Up to 1 in 6 survivors may develop a second primary cancer, and incidence is growing.³
How the Cancerguard® Test Works
- Talk with your healthcare provider about the test. If it’s right for you, they can order it.
- You complete a simple blood draw.
- Your blood sample is sent to Exact Sciences, the maker of the Cancerguard® test, to analyze for cancer signals.
- Results are ready in about 2 weeks for you to review with your healthcare provider.
Interested in the Cancerguard® Test?
If you’d like to know whether the Cancerguard® test may be right for you, talk with us during your next visit or contact Women First here.
*Cancers that have guideline-recommended screening: breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung (high risk).
†Performance of the Cancerguard® test in these populations has not been evaluated. Providers should use their clinical discretion when identifying patients for screening with the Cancerguard® test.
References:
- Cancerguard® Clinician Brochure. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.
- United States Preventive Services Task Force. A and B recommendations. Published 2022. https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations
- Sung JJ, Ahn AR, Park HS, et al. Incidence and pattern of second primary cancer in patients diagnosed with primary cancer. Oncol Lett. 2024;28(3):535.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CANCERGUARD® TEST
Rx only. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if this test is right for you.
The Cancerguard® test is indicated for use in adults ages 50-84 with no known cancer diagnosis in the last three years. It detects alterations in circulating tumor DNA and tumor-associated protein levels which are commonly associated with cancer. The test does not detect all cancers and is not a replacement for existing recommended cancer screening or diagnostic modalities for cancer. Current recommended screening for cancer should also be followed. The test is not indicated for screening of breast and prostate cancer and was not evaluated for the detection of pre-cancerous lesions.
Due to the potential for follow-up imaging with IV contrast CT after a positive test result, careful consideration should be given before ordering the Cancerguard® test for patients with a history of adverse reactions to iodine based IV contrast or for women who are, may be, or plan to become pregnant.
Results should be interpreted in the context of the patient’s medical history, clinical signs, and symptoms. A negative result does not rule out the presence of cancer of any type. A positive Cancerguard® test result means that the blood test identified a cancer signal that may indicate the presence of cancer. This result alone does not confirm the presence of cancer.
Further clinical evaluation by a healthcare provider (which may include blood tests such as complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic panel) and follow-up imaging are needed to locate and confirm a diagnosis of cancer or determine that cancer is not present. While there are no established guidelines for imaging following a positive Cancerguard® test result, there is a published follow-up workflow based on expert clinician opinion and results from an exploratory, prospective, interventional study [Kisiel et al Life (Basel) 2024 Jul 24; Lennon et al, Science, 2020]. The proposed workflow in the Kisiel et al publication includes an intravenous-contrast enhanced computed tomography (IV contrast CT of chest, abdomen/pelvis, and soft-tissue neck) and if necessary, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F FDG PET-CT) from the skull-base to mid-thigh. Alternative follow-up procedures (e.g. targeted imaging, endoscopic procedures, CT without IV-contrast) may be appropriate in the context of the patient’s medical history and clinical evaluation [Lennon et al, Science, 2020].
False positive and false negative test results can occur. The Cancerguard® test was developed, and the performance characteristics validated by Exact Sciences Laboratories following College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The test is performed at Exact Sciences Laboratories. Exact Sciences Laboratories is accredited by CAP, certified under CLIA regulations, and qualified to perform high-complexity clinical laboratory testing.
Exact Sciences and Cancerguard® are registered trademarks of Exact Sciences Corporation. ©2026 Exact Sciences Corporation. All rights reserved. M-US-CAG-00760 1/2026.
