Physician information about the OncoSeek® test

Asymptomatic people with cancer risk factors

OncoSeek® is recommended to be used for asymptomatic people that have a high risk for cancer or patients who present with first cancer symptoms prior to referral to an oncologist. OncoSeek® has best predictive performance in high-risk people and patients.

Patients with first cancer symptoms prior to referral

OncoSeek® is intended to inform a referral decision towards further diagnostic workup for a specific cancer. The combination of symptoms together with aforementioned cancer risk factors in a patient can be indicative towards applying OncoSeek®.

All symptoms related to any of the nine cancers of OncoSeek® (breast, colorectal, oesophageal, liver, lung, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreas and stomach) can be indicative for applying OncoSeek®, a clinical judgment considering the total situation of the patient is required.

Cancers may present with many different symptoms. Some examples of symptoms, not in particular order and not limitative, may include:

• Very heavy night sweats or fever
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
• Unexplained pain or ache
• Unexplained weight loss
• An unusual lump or swelling on the body
• Coughing that won’t go away
• Breathlessness
• Persistent heartburn
• Appetite loss

Benefits of taking OncoSeek®

• Cancer may be found earlier due to the use of OncoSeek®. Although highly dependent on the type of cancer, in general, the sooner a cancer is found, the better the patient outcomes.
• In case of symptomatic patients in primary care settings, OncoSeek® can be an extra clinical tool to support a referral decision.
• OncoSeek® is minimally invasive, only a blood draw is needed.
• The test detects 9 cancers at once, including cancers for which currently no screening is available.
• This test is an easy way to monitor a patient’s probability of cancer periodically

Risks of taking OncoSeek®

• The OncoSeek® test does not detect all cancers and should be used in addition to routine cancer screening tests recommended by a healthcare provider.
• A blood draw is a common, safe, standard procedure, but may lead to pain, bleeding, fainting, bruising, infection and/or hematoma (blood clot under the skin) at the injection site.
• A positive result (medium or high probability of cancer) may cause anxiety and uncertainty.
• With a positive result, the confirmatory diagnostic evaluation may not be accessible for the patient. Logistic, financial, cultural and geographical barriers may exist and may lead to uncertainty and stress. Please consider beforehand with the patient the access to confirmatory diagnostic services.
• False positive outcomes of the test might be applicable, resulting in unnecessary diagnostic procedures with possible financial, physical and psychological burden, as well as associated medical risks.
• False negative outcomes of the test might be applicable, resulting in false reassurance. Make sure to recommend the patient to stay vigilant; do their regular checkups and stay alert for symptoms they experience.