February 10, 2026

Diagnosed but Disconnected: Gaps in Cancer Care

As cancer diagnoses rise, new diagnostics and support systems are working to close the gaps patients feel most

Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer.¹ But despite decades of research and billions in funding, the cancer care continuum still has critical gaps—places where science, systems, and support haven’t yet caught up to the needs of patients.

And finding yourself in one of those gaps can be devastatingly isolating.

“The hardest part of the entire event was being alone, the uncertainty and the complete lack of any psychological support,” said colorectal cancer patient Scott of his diagnosis and treatment journey. “All you do is go further down that dark road of speculation on your own.”

From the moment of diagnosis, patients like Scott often experience confusion and complex decision-making challenges. While providers work to guide patients through their options, the reality is that limited tools for early detection, personalized treatment, and survivorship support can leave patients feeling lost. And factors such as geographical location and transportation add another layer, creating barriers in the moments patients need help the most.

Promising and innovative new tests, tools, and resources are emerging within the gaps throughout cancer care. And we’re seeing healthcare and biotech companies trend toward building comprehensive cancer diagnostics portfolios that span before, during and after a diagnosis.

But ultimately, there’s still much work to be done. As cancer diagnoses continue to increase, it’s critical that the solutions rise to the occasion. That means turning research into real-world tools, breaking down barriers that prevent access, and keeping patients’ needs at the center of every decision so that maybe that dark road can be a little bit brighter.

Expanding Access to Early Detection

Exact Sciences is one of the companies working to address unmet needs in cancer care. The cancer screening and diagnostic company is building an ecosystem of tests and resources to support patients, start to finish. Most recently, Exact Sciences launched the Cancerguard^® test, a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test.

Only a handful of cancers—colorectal, breast, cervical, and high-risk lung—have routine screening recommendations. Yet these account for just a fraction of the more than 100 distinct cancer types which leaves nearly 70% of annual cancer cases and deaths in the U.S. tied to cancers with no recommended screening.^2,3,4

This disparity has created a clear need for MCED tests to fill the unmet need and complement existing recommended screenings. By using a single blood draw, MCED tests have the potential to expand screening across multiple cancers—particularly those that lack recommended screening options, such as pancreatic, ovarian, gastric, and esophageal⁵—bringing earlier detection within reach.

The development of these tests is a promising step toward the future of cancer care, and in 2025, Exact Sciences was able to introduce one of these groundbreaking tests.

The Cancerguard test analyzes blood samples for biological signals —specifically DNA methylation patterns and tumor-associated protein biomarkers—to detect potential signs of cancer.⁵

“The Cancerguard test offers a critical early warning that cancer may be present and helps inform an imaging-guided pathway to diagnosis, giving people the chance to act when it matters most,” said Dr. Tom Beer, chief medical officer for multi-cancer early detection at Exact Sciences. “As adoption grows, we’ll look back and ask how we ever settled for screening for only a few cancers while letting the majority go undetected. Like the smartphone redefined communication, Cancerguard has the power to redefine cancer detection and the future of early intervention.”

The introduction of MCED tests is reshaping preventive oncology and allowing companies like Exact Sciences to meet patients at a potentially life-changing point on the cancer care continuum. Clinicians, advocates, and policymakers are pushing for bipartisan legislation that would create a pathway to Medicare coverage, potentially expanding access to tests like these for millions of patients.

Personalizing Treatment Decisions

Cancer is not a single disease, and treatment is rarely a single path. Yet for many patients, the journey can feel uniform.

“There were tests and things I was monitored with, but it was always based on symptoms and there was never really a clear plan shared with me,” said Kara, a breast cancer survivor.

This confusion often extends into survivorship, where patients face fears of recurrence and the challenge of returning to everyday life.

“The week before my scans I have trouble sleeping and I am nervous during the day,” said Sandro, a colorectal cancer patient and advocate. “All these things go through my head. What if? What if?"

This is where molecular residual disease (MRD) tests can play a pivotal role. A tumor-informed test, such as Exact Sciences’ Oncodetect^® test, that monitors for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), can be used at multiple points in the cancer journey—after surgery, after therapy, and during recurrence monitoring. By detecting residual disease earlier than imaging might,⁶ MRD tests can enable clinicians to intervene proactively. And, because this test tracks up to 200 variants specific to a patient’s individual tumor,6 the results can help providers and patients make tailored treatment decisions, potentially even eliminating the need for chemotherapy and radiation.

“If the test result is negative after surgery or chemotherapy, a provider can continue to monitor the patient at regular checkups using that same tumor-informed blood test, to ensure their result stays negative,” said Rick Baehner, Exact Sciences Chief Medical Officer.

Exact Sciences’ launch of Oncodetect in 2025 is part of a broad transformation in how cancer is monitored and managed, one that supports the push toward proactive cancer care, from generalized to personalized.⁷

MRD tests will play a vital role in the cancer care continuum, especially as patients transition from active treatment to survivorship.

“When I think back to when I finished my treatment, I definitely had this constant nagging feeling that we didn't get it all. Was I safe?” said Kara. “I think if I had had an MRD test, that could tell me, "Yes, we got it all," or, "No, you have residual disease, and we need to monitor you more closely," that would've relieved me of so much stress and anxiety. I'm so glad that this is something we can offer to newly diagnosed patients.”

Meeting Patients Where They Are

Closing gaps in cancer care isn’t just about developing new tests—it’s also about making sure those tests reach the people who need them most. Social determinants of health, such as transportation, income, housing, and access to education, can all influence whether someone gets screened, receives timely treatment, or feels supported throughout their journey.

That’s why solutions that reduce barriers to care are so critical. The Cologuard Plus™test and the Cologuard^® test, Exact Sciences’ noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tests, are one example. They are designed to be used at home, eliminating the need for travel, time off work, or access to specialized facilities.

“A few years ago, I remember seeing this cute little box on a commercial, and I stored that away – like, an at-home colorectal cancer screening test, I’ll remember that,” said Leanne, a colon cancer survivor. “And at age 51, I was behind on my screening, so I asked my doctor if I qualified for a Cologuard test. It was delivered to my home, just like they promised. The instructions were very easy to follow.”

For patients who live in rural areas, have limited transportation, or face financial constraints, this kind of flexibility can make all the difference.

“Knowing that individuals can experience disparities not only in outcomes but also in the care that they receive—it is our charge to support providers and systems of care that meet patients where they are,” said Dr. Travelle Ellis, Principal Screening Medical Officer at Exact Sciences.

Community-based efforts are also helping to bridge these divides. The nonprofit Open Table trains volunteers to form “support tables” around individuals facing non-medical barriers to health. In 2025, Open Table partnered with Exact Sciences to launch the first oncology-focused tables, offering personalized support for patients navigating cancer care.

Together, tools like the Cologuard Plus test and programs like Open Table reflect a growing effort to make cancer care more reachable, more human, and more responsive to the realities patients face. It’s not just about where innovation happens, it’s about how it helps people thrive.

Moving forward

Cancer care is evolving, and so is the way we think about screening and diagnostics. From expanding access to early detection, to personalizing treatment decisions through MRD testing, to reducing barriers with at-home screening and community support, the future of cancer care is becoming more connected, more responsive. And when diagnostics meet patients where they are, the impact can be transformative.

Scott, Sandro, Kara, and Leanne are Exact Sciences patient ambassadors.

References:

1. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Facebook video on cancer awareness and support. Retrieved October 9, 2025, from https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=880678854233767

2. Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, Sung H, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025;75(1):10-45.

3. United States Preventive Services Task Force. A and B recommendations. Published 2022. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations

4. Data on file. Calculated cancers without USPSTF recommended screening tests. 2025. Medical Affairs, Exact Sciences, Madison, WI.

5. Cancerguard Clinician Brochure. 2025. Exact Sciences, Madison, WI

6. 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. Santonja et al 2023 EMBO (https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.15252/emmm.202216505)