Medical Device & Emerging Tech
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada.1 A 40% increase in the number of cancer cases is predicted from 2020 to 2040.2†
Cancerguard helps detect signals associated with over 50 cancer types and subtypes1,5,6 – covering the majority of cancers diagnosed annually in Canada. With Cancerguard, you can expand your screening capabilities to enable more comprehensive proactive care.
The only test of its kind to combine both circulating tumour DNA methylation and protein biomarkers.5¶
Patients’ results are ready within about 3 weeks after our lab receives their blood sample. Results are either positive or negative and can help you determine next steps. In rare cases, an invalid result can occur.9,10
Intended use. The Cancerguard test is intended for people aged 50–84 with no cancer diagnosis in the last 3 years.5 The test’s performance characteristics have been established in adults aged 50–84 without a cancer diagnosis in the preceding three years. Clinical performance outside this population has not been established. 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 programs such as breast, cervical, colorectal, lung.4
* Cancers that have guideline-recommended screening: breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung (high risk). Established screening programs may vary by province.
† Using OncoSim All Cancers Model. Incidence for each cancer type was estimated from logistic regression analyses of the Canadian Cancer Registry (1992–2017), with province/territory, sex, five-year age groups and year as covariates. The projections presented in this study were generated based on a simulation of 32 million cases.
‡ Performance data presented here were generated from a case-control, test development study of patients 50–84 who were already known to have cancer or to be healthy (no active cancer or suspicion of cancer). It may not accurately reflect the performance in a clinical setting. Real-world sensitivity may be different compared to case-control data. Excludes breast and prostate. False negative and false positive results can occur. A false negative result means the test did not find signals of cancer, but a person does have cancer. A false positive result means the test found signals of cancer, but a person doesn’t have cancer.
§ 97.4% value based on an all-comers population and a case-control study in Europe and the United States; may not be indicative of real-world values. Negative result rates may vary based on the prevalence/expected incidence of cancer in a real-world population.
¶ As of April 6, 2026, the Cancerguard test is the only commercially available MCED test with a multi-biomarker class approach.
** Due to the potential for follow-up imaging with intravenous (IV) contrast computed tomography (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.
1. Government of Canada. Canadian Cancer Statistics. Available at: https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/files/research/cancer-statistics/2025-statistics/2025_PDF_FINAL_EN.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2026.
2. Ruan Y, et al. Long-term projections of cancer incidence and mortality in Canada: The OncoSim All Cancers Model. Prev Med. 2023;168:107425.
3. Chaput G, et al. Cancer screening in Canada: What’s in, what’s out, what’s coming. Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(1):27–29.
4. Government of Canada. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on cancer screening. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/health-support/cancer-screening/frequently-asked-questions-cancer-screening.html. Accessed June 1, 2026.
5. Cancerguard Canadian Clinician Brochure. Exact Sciences Corporation.
6. Data on file. Cancerguard and ASCEND-2 Detected Cancer Burden. 2025. Medical Affairs, Exact Sciences, Madison, WI.
7. Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, et al. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025;75:10-45.
8. Data on file. Cancerguard Cancer Subtype Analysis. Exact Sciences, Madison, WI; September 2025.
9. Exact Sciences. Cancerguard Patient Positive Result Supplement. Published 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025.
10. Exact Sciences. Cancerguard Patient Negative Result Supplement. Published 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025.
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