Multitarget Stool DNA Overview

MultiTarget Stool DNA Test1-4

What is it? A non-invasive, highly sensitive colorectal cancer screening test.
How does it work? It identifies biomarkers in stool that are associated with colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas.
Who should use it? Individuals who are 45 or older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer.
What does it include? Includes embedded, nationwide patient navigation and customer support services to facilitate screening completion.
  • No bowel preparation required1,2
  • No medication or dietary modifications required1,2

THE mt-sDNA JOURNEY AND PATIENT NAVIGATION1-3,5,6

A simple flowchart with text describes how a patient can use the patient navigation support services and follow-up associated with mt-sDNA test screening. The patient navigation support services start with a welcome call, mail, email and/or reminders to complete the test, 24/7 customer care center live support in over 200 languages. From there, the patient will complete the test and ship it back to the Exact Sciences lab for processing. The laboratory will then process and analyze the patient’s test and provide results to the ordering provider within two weeks. The flowchart ends with the healthcare practitioner following up with their patient. If the result is positive, a follow-up colonoscopy will be completed. If the result is negative, the patient will continue to be screened at appropriate intervals.

INTERPRETING mt-sDNA RESULTS1

The mt-sDNA report shows a single qualitative result, either positive or negative:

Negative Result

A negative test result means that the test did not detect abnormal DNA and/or blood in the sample. A test can also have a negative result that is incorrect (false negative).

Next steps

Patients with a negative result should continue in a screening program appropriate for the patient.

Positive Result

A positive test result means that the test detected abnormal DNA and/or blood that could be caused by precancer or cancer in the colon or rectum. A test can also have a positive result that is incorrect (false positive).

Next steps

Patients with a positive result should schedule a colonoscopy.

  • If a result cannot be obtained due to insufficient sample size, low DNA capture, etc., the Exact Sciences Laboratories will automatically request a second sample, at no additional cost to the patient.

Learn more about the full Indications/Contraindications for the mt-sDNA test. Please see complete prescribing information for the Cologuard® test in the Cologuard Clinician Brochure.

Related Topics

Footnotes

  1. Three-year interval after negative result with mt-sDNA per Wolf AMD, et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281.

List of definitions

CRC: colorectal cancer; HCP: healthcare provider; mt-sDNA: multitarget stool DNA; UPS: United Parcel Service.


References

  1. Cologuard Clinician Brochure. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.
  2. American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer screening tests. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests-used.html
  3. Weiser E, Parks PD, Swartz RK, et al. Cross-sectional adherence with the multi-target stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening: real-world data from a large cohort of older adults. J Med Screen. 2021;28(1):18-24.
  4. Berger BM, Levin B, Hilsden RJ. Multitarget stool DNA for colorectal cancer screening: a review and commentary on the United States Preventive Services Draft Guidelines. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2016;8(5):450-458.
  5. Anand S, Liang PS. A practical overview of the stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2022;13(4):e00464.
  6. Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-28.