For patients
Riskguard® Hereditary Cancer Risk test

Knowledge that gives you power over your health

The Riskguard® test is an assessment tool that can help uncover hereditary cancer risk. With just a simple blood or saliva sample, it checks for hereditary genetic changes that can cause an increased risk for certain cancers.  
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Get to know the Riskguard test

Genetic counselor Brandie Leach breaks down who the test is for, what the testing process is like, and how the results could inform your risks.

How can the Riskguard test help?

If you have a family history of cancer, the Riskguard test can help you know if you have inherited changes in your genes that are linked to cancer, and may inform risk-reducing strategies.
A father and son outside in a park looking up at the sky.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, the Riskguard test can help you know about hereditary changes in your genes that can assist you and your provider in making a treatment path customized to you.
A woman wearing a head scarf sitting by a window looking off into the distance.

Tailored treatment and prevention journeys

Have peace of mind knowing you and your provider can form better treatment and prevention journeys guided by genetics.1-6

Easy-to-understand results

Receive easy-to-understand results via your Exact Sciences patient account, with potential next steps for a personalized care plan.
A doctor explaining test results to a patient using a tablet.

We work hard to make understanding results easy

Sometimes receiving results can be complicated. That's why we've made our results easy to understand for you and your provider, and our dedicated customer care team will be there every step of the way to walk you through the testing process.
An illustration of the words "negative result".

A negative result means you’ll have powerful information.

Knowing your result is negative may do more than put you at ease, it could also mean less frequent screenings and avoiding unnecessary treatment.7-9 You and your provider can use this information, along with your family history and other factors, to decide next steps.
An illustration of the words "positive result".

A positive result does not mean you’ll develop cancer.

It means you may be at a higher risk than average, and we’re here to support you and your provider as you create a personalized prevention or treatment plan. We’ll also let you know about future changes to your results or new research that could optimize your care path.

Uncertain result: Some individuals may receive a result called a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). This means a genetic change was identified, but there isn’t enough scientific evidence to determine if it affects cancer risk. Your provider can help interpret this result and discuss what it may mean for your care.

The Riskguard test checks for genes across 10 cancer types

Colorectal ​ ​ ​ ​Breast ​ ​ ​ ​Prostate ​ ​ ​ ​Pancreatic ​ ​ ​ ​Ovarian ​ ​ ​ ​Endometrial ​ ​ ​ ​Skin ​ ​ ​ ​Gastric ​ ​ ​ ​Kidney ​ ​ ​ ​Endocrine

Not all questions have to mean an office visit

Our premium customer service is just a phone call away, and we can answer questions big and small before, during, and after testing.

On-demand customer care

Call our customer care team with general questions about the Riskguard test, billing, insurance coverage, and flexible payment plans.

Call +1 866-662-6897

Genetic counselors

Ask customer care to connect you with an independent genetic counselor for an in-depth telehealth consultation.* They can help review your family history, assess your cancer risk, understand your Riskguard test results, and assist with next steps.

How it works

Step 1

See if the Riskguard test is a fit

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First, speak with your provider to determine if the Riskguard test is a good fit for you. Our customer care team is available if you have additional questions about billing, insurance, payment plans and more.

Step 2

Take the test

The Riskguard test will need to be ordered by your provider. You may provide a blood or saliva sample in your provider’s office, or we can ship one of our convenient at-home saliva test kits directly to you.

Step 3

Get your results

A doctor using a tablet to explain test results to a patient.
Your provider will review your results with you and design a customized care plan. You can also access your results online via your Exact Sciences patient account. For a more in-depth consult, we can connect you to an independent genetic counselor.*

You have enough things to worry about, insurance coverage shouldn’t be one of them.

  • Coverage for eligible patients including Medicare and commercial insurance
  • Specialized support for billing insurance and prior authorization
  • Flexible payment options
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Patient resources

Patient education video

Video
Learn more about how the Riskguard test can help guide treatment and prevention.

Exact Sciences patient account

Check on your order status, access your test results, and find additional resources.

Patient education brochure

PDF
Get powerful knowledge about personalized cancer treatment through genetic assessment.

Billing and coverage info card

PDF
We're here to help. Our support team can help you navigate the insurance coverage process.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this test cost?
The Riskguard test is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare and many state Medicaid programs for patients who meet medical criteria. We also offer interest-free flexible payment options. For additional information about billing please contact +1 866-662-6897.
Does a doctor have to order my test? Or can I order a test for myself?
You cannot order the test yourself. The Riskguard test must be ordered by your healthcare provider and will be performed during your office visit. We offer both blood and saliva tests so you and your provider can decide which option is best for you.
How long does it take to get my results back?
Your healthcare provider will receive your results in approximately 14 to 21 days.† Then they will review your results and design a customized plan with you. For additional help understanding your results or exploring your care options, contact Customer Care for assistance at +1 866-662-6897.

We're here for you

With questions about ordering the Riskguard test, insurance billing and payment options, checking results, or getting connected with a genetic counselor, call us at +1 866-662-6897 or email us at riskguard@exactsciences.com.

References

  1. There may be a patient cost associated with independent genetic counseling services.
  2. Data on file

  1. Geyer CE Jr, Garber JE, Gelber RD, et al. OlympiA Clinical Trial Steering Committee and Investigators. Overall survival in the OlympiA phase III trial of adjuvant olaparib in patients with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 and high-risk, early breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2022;33(12):1250-1268.
  2. Hussain M, Mateo J, Fizazi K, et al. PROfound Trial Investigators. Survival with olaparib in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(24):2345-2357.
  3. Golan T, Hammel P, Reni M, et al. Maintenance olaparib for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. N Engl J Med. 2019;381:317-327.
  4. Ledermann J, Harter P, Gourley C, et al. Olaparib maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed serous ovarian cancer: A preplanned retrospective analysis of outcomes by BRCA status in a randomised phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2014;15:852-861.
  5. Domchek SM, Friebel TM, Singer CF, et al. Association of risk-reducing surgery in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers with cancer risk and mortality. JAMA. 2010;304(9):967-975.
  6. Ladabaum U, Wang G, Terdiman J, et al. Strategies to identify the Lynch syndrome among patients with colorectal cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(2):69-79.
  7. Robson ME, Im SA, Senkus E, et al. Olaparib for metastatic breast cancer in patients with a germline BRCA mutation. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(6):523-533.
  8. Tischler AS, de Krijger RR, Gill AJ, et al. Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(12):925-930.
  9. Kurian AW, Hare EE, Mills MA, et al. Clinical evaluation of a multiple-gene sequencing panel for hereditary cancer risk assessment. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(34):4505-4512.
The Exact Sciences Riskguard test was developed, and its performance characteristics validated by an Exact Sciences laboratory following College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. The test is performed in Marshfield, WI at PreventionGenetics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Exact Sciences. PreventionGenetics is accredited by CAP, certified under CLIA regulations, and qualified to perform high-complexity clinical laboratory testing. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or other notified regulatory authority. Genomic Health, Inc., an Exact Sciences company, is the billing entity for the Riskguard test.