Cologuard® Helps More People Get Screened In A Cost-Effective Way

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: EXAS) -- Exact Sciences announced today that nearly 3 million people have been screened for colorectal cancer with Cologuard since FDA approval with half of those tested being previously unscreened.  Not only is Cologuard increasing the number of screened Americans, peer reviewed data shows that Cologuard is a cost-effective alternative for people at average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Data conclusively shows that screening reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.  However, for over a decade, 1 out of every 3 Americans eligible for screening under current guidelines has gone unscreened, leading to colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates that are higher than they should be.  Cologuard is an innovative, stool-based DNA test that was created to help improve the nation's stagnant screening rate.

Cologuard became available for average risk screening when it was approved by the FDA in 2014, was included among the "A" rated screening options in the 2016 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for CRC screening, and has broad market access with 94% of the patients who use it having $0 cost share. Our goal is to improve screening rates by making available a convenient, non-invasive and highly sensitive alternative for people and health care providers.

A growing body of literature shows Cologuard is a cost-effective test in an average risk colorectal cancer screening population, including a recent analysis by Naber, et al., which found that Cologuard is cost-effective, as compared to no screening, but less cost-effective, as compared to certain other screening methods.  However, Exact believes that the Naber analysis and other analyses that utilize the CISNET models understates Cologuard's value proposition, by employing unrealistic assumptions, such as adherence rates (i.e., 100% adherence, or relative adherence over a fairly narrow range) for screening, follow-up and surveillance procedures. This academic approach is not reflective of clinical practice. In order to overcome these limitations, it is recommended that Naber and others utilizing CISNET models for analysis incorporate more accurate real-world data regarding adherence rates.

"The CISNET models utilized in a recent article by Naber et al. have limitations that persist from earlier studies, which influence the findings," said Steven Itzkowitz, M.D. gastroenterologist and Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. "The colorectal cancer screening community needs to work more collaboratively to address the limitations of these models and generate a more well-rounded body of evidence that considers real world adherence rates and the biology of important precancerous lesions to help get patients screened."

"Cologuard is meaningfully impacting patient screening by reaching nearly 3 million people," said Mark Stenhouse, President of Cologuard. "Cologuard offers increased sensitivity for colon cancer and pre-cancer relative to FIT as observed in the landmark Deep-C study and includes a built-in patient navigation program, which resulted in an 88% compliance rate among a previously non-compliant Medicare population."

Exact Sciences remains focused on the millions of Americans who still need to be screened for colon cancer and is taking an active role to generate a more well-rounded body of evidence which supports better inputs to future modeling, comparative-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies.

Dr. Itzkowitz has received compensation as a consultant to Exact Sciences.

Contact:  Cara Connelly, Exact Sciences, 614-302-5622 [email protected]

About Exact Sciences Corp.
Exact Sciences Corp. is a molecular diagnostics company working to deliver life-changing innovations in earlier cancer detection. The company has exclusive intellectual property protecting its non-invasive, molecular screening technology for the detection of colorectal cancer. Now, Exact Sciences is investing in its product pipeline and collaborating with industry-leaders with the goal of taking on the world's deadliest cancers. For more information visit www.exactsciences.com.

About Cologuard
Cologuard is intended for the qualitative detection of colorectal neoplasia associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin in human stool. A positive result may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AA) and should be followed by diagnostic colonoscopy. Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 years or older, who are at typical average-risk for CRC. Cologuard is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high risk individuals.

Cologuard is not for high risk individuals, including those with a history of colorectal cancer and adenoma, a family history of colorectal cancer, IBD or certain hereditary syndromes. Positive Cologuard results should be referred to diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative Cologuard test result does not guarantee absence of cancer or advanced adenoma. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient. Cologuard performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established. Rx only.

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SOURCE EXACT SCIENCES CORP

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