What does the Cancerguard blood test do and is it useful?

The Cancerguard test is a blood test designed for the early detection of multiple types of cancer. It is the first commercially available multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test that analyzes multiple biomarker classes to detect a wide range of cancers.

The test detects markers for more than 50 types of cancer, including pancreatic, ovarian, liver, esophageal, lung, and stomach cancer. It is not suitable for detecting breast or prostate cancer.

The test is not a replacement for existing recommended cancer screenings or diagnostic tests. It is designed to complement existing routine screenings.

The test costs $689 and is recommended by the manufacturer for people aged 50 to 84 who have not been diagnosed with cancer in the past three years. It is unknown how often the test should be repeated. Repeating the test too often will increase the number of false positives and cause unnecessary tests and anxiety.

This is not a diagnostic test. A positive result indicates further testing (imaging, biopsy) is required. A negative result does not rule out cancer.

There are currently very few scientific publications available describing the clinical validity of the Cancerguard test.

For detailed scientific data and peer-reviewed studies, it is recommended to wait for future publications or clinical trials evaluating the performance and clinical validity of the Cancerguard test.

Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10147-025-02694-5

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-09-25 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2026