A More Pleasant Way to Screen for Cancer
Shield™ Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test
The Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test is a blood test that screens for 10 aggressive cancers with the highest mortality rates.
Which cancers does Shield MCD look for?
Who is the test for?
Shield MCD is for individuals aged 45 years and older who are not pregnant and have no known history of cancer.
How does the test work?
The Shield MCD test is based on two key concepts:
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
Cells in the body release small amounts of their genetic material (DNA) into the bloodstream, known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Cancer cells, if present, can also shed their genetic material into the bloodstream, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).¹ ctDNA is a fraction of cfDNA shed into the blood.²
Methylation
Methylation is a natural chemical modification that occurs in both cfDNA and ctDNA.¹ It acts as a “tag” that can turn genes on and off. Tags in cancer cells are different from those in normal cells.³ By analyzing these differences, it is possible to detect signals in cfDNA that may be associated with cancer.
The Shield MCD test was developed using more than 10,000 blood samples from people with cancer and over 7,000 samples from people without cancer. These samples were used to train a computer system to recognize differences between cancer-related DNA methylation patterns and normal DNA methylation.
What preparation is needed for the test?
The Shield MCD test requires no special preparation or dietary changes. It can be completed during other bloodwork, and results are available in as little as 2 weeks.
What happens after a blood sample is collected?
Step 1:
cfDNA is extracted from the sample for analysis.
Step 2:
Methylated DNA is separated from unmethylated DNA and analyzed for patterns that may be associated with cancer.
Step 3:
Results are generated.
What do the test results mean?
Sample Shield MCD Test Report
Your Result is Negative
A negative result means a signal associated with cancer was not detected. A negative result does not completely rule out the possibility of cancer.
Please contact the healthcare provider who ordered this test and continue to participate in recommended cancer screening tests.
Your Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) Test Result is Positive
A positive result means an abnormal signal was detected. Although a positive result raises concern for the presence of cancer, it is not a diagnosis of cancer. In fact, most people with a positive result do not have cancer. The Predicted Cancer Signal of Origin (CSO) offers information about the tissue type or organ that may be associated with the positive result detected by the test. The CSO may help your healthcare provider decide next steps in your clinical evaluation.
Your Next Steps
Disclaimer:
The Shield MCD test is a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) that was developed and its performance characteristics were determined by Guardant Health, Inc. This test may be used for clinical purposes and should not be regarded as investigational or for research only. Guardant Health’s clinical laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) as qualified to perform high-complexity clinical laboratory testing and is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The results should be interpreted in the context of other clinical information and laboratory, pathology, and imaging studies by a qualified medical professional before initiating or changing a patient’s treatment plan. This test is not part of the Shield IVD and has not been cleared or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
For Export Use only. Not for sale or use in the United States. The Shield MCD test is available by prescription only.
A Blood Test to Screen for Early Signs of Colorectal Cancer
Cancer screening is a proven way to detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Unfortunately, many people today aren’t being screened in line with medical guideline recommendations in part because they find the available methods, including colonoscopy and stool-based testing, to be unpleasant or inconvenient.
Get Started with Shield
Interested in our Shield blood test for early cancer screening?