For patients
Testing process

Oncodetect™ Molecular Residual Disease testing process

Learn more about how the test works, including your blood draw options, how to access your results, and what to discuss with your doctor.
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What to expect once your doctor orders the test

The Oncodetect Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) test analyzes your tumor tissue and your blood to detect evidence of cancer recurrence and monitor your response to therapy or surgery.

Step 1

Your doctor will send in a sample of your tumor

Close up of lab technicians hands placing specimen samples in a box.
Using tissue from your tumor (typically removed during surgery or biopsy), we design a personalized profile to look for fragments of tumor DNA in your blood that match the DNA in your tumor sample.

Step 2

You and your doctor will discuss the easiest way to get your blood sample

A doctor and patient sitting on opposite sides of a desk as the doctor holds a tablet.

Your health care provider can manage your blood draw or have Exact Sciences manage it for you. We offer in-office options, as well as home visits. See blood draw options.

After the first test, you and your doctor will determine how often to schedule monitoring blood draws.

Step 3

You’ll get an email or text message to create your patient account†

Close up of hands holding a cell phone.
We’ll send you an email or SMS text message to sign up for an Exact Sciences patient account.† You’ll be able to track your test order, see your test results, get support from customer care, and more.

Step 4

Review the results with your doctor about 4 weeks after your baseline test

A health care provider placing their hand on a patient’s shoulder.

Approximately 4 weeks after your baseline test (or 10 days after a monitoring test),* you’ll be able to access the results on your Exact Sciences patient account. With each test, your report will build, helping you and your doctor track your cancer over time.

Oncodetect MRD test results can help you understand the status of your cancer post-surgery, if it is at higher risk to recur, and how it is responding to adjuvant therapy.1,2

You have options for your blood draw, and we can help

Managed by your provider

Your doctor may choose to have your blood collected in their office, at an affiliated laboratory, or elsewhere in your health system.  

Managed by Exact Sciences

Alternately, you can go to an Exact Sciences-affiliated lab near you, or we can send a phlebotomist to your home.

View blood draw instructions (PDF)

Activate your patient account to view test results, get support, and more

Once your doctor orders the Oncodetect MRD test, you’ll receive an email or text to sign up for your Exact Sciences patient account.† Use this account to see your test results as soon as they’re available, as well as track your test order, get support from customer care, and more.
A man and woman sitting with a doctor discussing test results.

Discussing the test with your doctor

With the power to analyze 200 gene variants2 specific to your tumor tissue, the Oncodetect MRD test gives you valuable insights into the activity of your cancer. Our “talk to your doc” guide can help you speak with your oncologist about how the test could inform your treatment plan.
Detect tiny fragments of cancer DNA before a tumor may be detected by standard imaging.1,2
Help you and your doctor make proactive treatment decisions with sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA.2
High sensitivity2 helps you stay a step ahead of your cancer.

Have questions?

Call us at +1 888-662-6897.

References and footnotes

  1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Coverage Database. LCD—MolDX: Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Cancer. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/
  2. Diergaarde B, Young G, Hall DW, Mazloom A, Costa G, Subramaniam S, Palomares M, Garces J, Baehner FL, Schoen RE; and other members of the Exact Sciences MRD Group. Circulating tumor DNA as a marker of recurrence risk in Stage III colorectal cancer: The α‐CORRECT study. Journal of Surgical Oncology.
  3. Estimated turnaround times based on data on file from previous testing, actual turnaround times may vary.
  4. If your health care provider did not include your mobile phone number or email address when submitting the lab order, you will not receive an SMS message or email from Exact Sciences.


    This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Genomic Health, Inc. The Oncodetect test was clinically validated in colorectal cancer patients with stage II-IV disease. Performance characteristics may not apply in tumor types not included in this test’s clinical validation. The test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The test has been validated as a Laboratory Developed Test per institutional and applicable CLIA regulation (CLIA# 03D2048606) and College of American Pathology (CAP# 8869063) as qualified to perform high complexity clinical laboratory testing.