Exact Sciences Launches Groundbreaking Multi-Cancer Blood Test, Cancerguard

Exact Sciences has unveiled its highly anticipated Cancerguard blood test, designed to detect early stages of multiple cancer types. This launch marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to revolutionize cancer screening and early detection.

Cancerguard: A New Era in Cancer Detection

Priced at $689, Cancerguard is capable of detecting more than 50 different types of malignancies, excluding breast and prostate cancers. The test focuses on aggressive diseases and those responsible for over 80% of annual new cancer diagnoses in the United States, including pancreatic, ovarian, liver, lung, esophageal, and stomach cancers.

Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy stated, "Cancerguard builds on the legacy of Cologuard, which has delivered more than 20 million test results and transformed colorectal cancer screening. Backed by strong science and developed to screen for many of the deadliest cancers, the Cancerguard test represents the next bold step in our mission to detect cancer earlier."

The test is initially available to physicians for prescription, with plans to expand access through Exact Sciences' telehealth portal next month. Results are typically delivered within two weeks.

Clinical Performance and Target Population

Cancerguard has demonstrated promising clinical performance in previous studies:

• False-positive rate of less than 3%
• 68% sensitivity for six major cancer types (pancreas, ovaries, liver, lungs, esophagus, and stomach)
• 64% overall sensitivity, excluding breast and prostate tumors
• Detected more than a third of Stage 1 or 2 cases

The test is designed for adults aged 50-84 who have not received a cancer diagnosis within the past three years. Exact Sciences estimates that approximately 70% of yearly cancer cases and deaths are linked to hidden tumors that currently lack recommended screening protocols.

Comprehensive Support and Future Plans

To facilitate widespread adoption, Exact Sciences has partnered with Quest Diagnostics for blood collection at 7,000 patient access locations nationwide. The company is also offering:

• Care navigator services
• Up to $6,000 in reimbursements for certain non-covered PET or CT scans required for follow-up
• A registry of 25,000 participants to collect real-world evidence

Dr. Tom Beer, Exact Sciences' Chief Medical Officer for multi-cancer early detection, emphasized the test's potential impact: "As adoption grows, we'll look back and ask how we ever settled for screening for only a few cancers while letting the majority go undetected. Like the smartphone redefined communication, Cancerguard has the power to redefine cancer detection and the future of early intervention."

Exact Sciences plans to submit Cancerguard for FDA review and make a case for insurance coverage and inclusion in screening guidelines. The company projects that over a decade of use, the test could reduce late-stage (Stage 4) diagnoses by up to 42%.