About Exact Sciences
Cancerguard is Exact Sciences’ blood-based multi-cancer screening test. Request an order through the available clinical route, arrange collection and receive a cancer-signal result; a positive result needs further diagnostic investigation.
Request a clinical orderArrange your blood drawReview the cancer-signal result
Offering
Cancerguard
$689
one-time
Blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) signal test
A self-pay, blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test that reports a qualitative positive/negative cancer signal; not FDA-cleared or -approved and not billed to insurance.
What’s included
Cancerguard Multi-Cancer Signal
A blood test that analyzes circulating tumor DNA methylation and tumor-associated protein levels together, reporting a single qualitative "positive" or "negative" result indicating whether a cancer signal was detected across more than 50 cancer types.
Results
Report
The report states the cancer-signal result and explains what it means.
Official sample report- Results
- A positive or negative cancer-signal result, shared with you and your ordering clinician.
- Access
- Web
- Timing
- About two weeks after the laboratory receives the sample.
Help
Live consultation
IncludedYou can request a telehealth consultation at no extra cost through the online ordering route.
Collection
Keep the collection kit sealed and arrange a professional draw through Exact Sciences; available collection routes depend on your ZIP code.
Reviews
What people complain about
Repeated contact about kits
Some Cologuard customers describe receiving unwanted kits and repeated follow-up calls, making it difficult to stop contact after deciding they do not want testing.
Stories
Tim
A home screening test prompted a cancer diagnosis and treatment
Tim had no symptoms and had been reluctant to book a colonoscopy when his doctor suggested Cologuard. A positive result led him to have one, revealing stage III colon cancer; after treatment, he describes being cancer-free and enjoying life as a grandfather.
cologuard.comKatie
A positive Cologuard result led to surgery for colon cancer
Katie took Cologuard for her first colorectal screening at 48, and a positive result persuaded her to have a colonoscopy. Doctors found cancer, removed part of her colon and confirmed that her lymph nodes were clear, with no further treatment needed.
cologuard.comAllison Barry
A cancer signal led to surgery for an ovarian tumor
Allison worked on Cancerguard’s launch and decided to take the test herself. A positive result led to CT imaging and surgery for stage I ovarian cancer; after the tumor was removed, she described being cancer-free while continuing follow-up with her oncologist.
exactsciences.comThings to know
- Cancerguard is a self-pay test.
Exact Sciences does not bill insurance for the test; HSA/FSA eligibility depends on your plan.
- Eligibility is reviewed before ordering.
The test is intended for eligible adults aged 50–84 without a cancer diagnosis in the past three years; the online order also screens pregnancy and other risk factors.
Alternatives
GRAIL (Galleri) · Galleri
Another multi-cancer blood test; a positive Galleri signal includes a predicted tissue of origin, while Cancerguard reports an overall signal.
$949
Instalab · Galleri Multi-Cancer Signal
Galleri ordered through Instalab, with the seller’s collection and physician-review arrangements rather than Exact Sciences’ Care Navigation program.
$799FAQs
Does a positive result diagnose cancer?
No. A positive signal needs clinical follow-up. Cancerguard does not identify the cancer’s type or location.
What happens after a positive result?
Care Navigation helps arrange follow-up and share results with your clinicians. Eligible patients can apply for reimbursement of certain non-covered imaging costs.
Does it replace routine cancer screening?
Continue the screening recommended by your clinician, including mammograms and colorectal screening.
What follow-up financial support is available?
After a positive result, eligible patients can apply for up to $6,000 toward certain non-covered imaging costs. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles are excluded.