Who miCheckup is for.
miCheckup is designed for adults who want a proactive early warning about suspected cancer signals before symptoms appear.
miCheckup is a microRNA multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test intended for adults 18 years of age or older (19 or older in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon). There is no upper age limit.
miCheckup is designed for asymptomatic individuals who want an early warning assessment of their cancer risk — it is not a substitute for medical care if you are already experiencing symptoms. If you have symptoms that may indicate cancer — such as unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, blood in stool or urine, or a new lump — seek medical attention from your healthcare provider immediately.
miCheckup is currently available in Ontario, with expansion planned across Canada. No referral from your family doctor is required. Our clinical team provides the laboratory requisition required for your blood test.
An early warning test, not a diagnosis.
Understanding what miCheckup is — and what it isn't — is essential to using it responsibly.
miCheckup is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test that analyzes patterns of circulating microRNAs in a standard blood sample. It is designed to identify molecular signals associated with multiple solid tumor cancers.
miCheckup is not a diagnostic test. A suspected cancer signal identified result indicates that your microRNA profile contains patterns that warrant further investigation — it does not mean cancer is present. All positive results are reviewed with you by a physician, and a whole-body MRI is included at no additional cost.
A negative result does not rule out cancer. No early detection test identifies every cancer in every person at every stage. A negative result reduces — but does not eliminate — the possibility of cancer.
miCheckup is a complement to standard screening. Continue all recommended screening — including mammography, Pap/HPV testing, and colorectal screening (FIT or colonoscopy) — as directed by your healthcare provider.
miCheckup is built on a microRNA multi-disease screening (MMDS) platform. Today it is applied to cancer detection. The underlying microRNA analysis captures molecular information that extends beyond the current cancer panel.
What your miCheckup result means.
Your result will fall into one of two categories, each with clear next steps.
"No suspected cancer signal identified." Your microRNA profile did not show patterns associated with cancer at the time of testing. This is reassuring, but it does not guarantee the absence of cancer. Continue participating in recommended standard screening programs, and consult your healthcare provider if you develop new symptoms.
"Cancer signal identified." Your microRNA profile contains patterns associated with cancer biology. This is not a diagnosis — it is an early warning. A whole-body MRI is included in your miCheckup test at no additional cost, and a physician will guide you through imaging and appropriate follow-up within the Canadian healthcare system. Many patients who receive this result are subsequently found not to have cancer.
What miCheckup cannot do.
Every early detection technology has limitations. Understanding them helps you make informed decisions.
miCheckup does not detect all cancers. It is designed to identify signals associated with multiple solid tumor cancers. Not every cancer produces a detectable circulating microRNA pattern, and very early-stage cancers may produce changes below the detection threshold.
False positive and false negative results can occur. A suspected cancer signal identified result may occur in individuals who do not have cancer (false positive), and a no suspected cancer signal identified result may occur in individuals who do have cancer (false negative).
microRNA patterns can be influenced by non-cancer conditions. Inflammation, infection, autoimmune conditions, recent surgery, pregnancy, and certain medications can affect circulating microRNA levels. Please disclose all relevant medical information to the clinical team reviewing your results.
Use caution if: you are currently pregnant or planning pregnancy; you are undergoing active cancer treatment; you have a history of adverse reactions to MRI contrast agents; or you are currently experiencing symptoms that may indicate cancer.
About the whole-body MRI included with miCheckup.
If a suspected cancer signal is identified, a whole-body MRI is included at no additional cost.
The whole-body MRI is ordered by a physician and performed at an accredited Canadian medical imaging facility. It is a standard clinical procedure subject to the same interpretation and medical judgment that applies to all diagnostic imaging in Canada.
MRI has inherent limitations. It does not detect every abnormality, can produce incidental findings unrelated to cancer, and some findings may require additional follow-up. Your physician will guide you through results and next steps.
Whether intravenous contrast is used is a clinical decision made by the ordering physician and radiology team based on your medical history.
How miCheckup is regulated in Canada.
miCheckup is a Laboratory-Developed Test (LDT) performed in an accredited Canadian medical laboratory.
miCheckup is a Laboratory-Developed Test (LDT). In Canada, LDTs are regulated as a clinical laboratory service under provincial and territorial laboratory oversight, rather than as medical devices under the federal Medical Devices Regulations.
The miCheckup test is performed at an accredited Canadian medical laboratory certified by the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH). These standards govern laboratory environment, personnel qualifications, operational procedures, and ongoing quality control.
miCheckup's microRNA analysis algorithms are based on peer-reviewed research published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio, 2024) and Cancers (MDPI, 2022), and have been validated on thousands of peer-reviewed blood samples.12
Your blood sample is collected, processed, and analyzed entirely in Canada. Your personal health information is stored in Canada and handled in accordance with PIPEDA and applicable provincial health privacy legislation including PHIPA in Ontario.
What the research shows.
Performance data based on peer-reviewed validation across thousands of blood samples.
The microRNA diagnostic model underlying miCheckup has been validated across thousands of peer-reviewed blood samples, with results published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) and Cancers (MDPI).12
- Greater than 99% specificity — fewer than 1 in 100 participants without cancer received a suspected cancer signal identified result
- Greater than 90% sensitivity for the majority of validated cancer types
- Sensitivity varies by cancer type
Performance characteristics vary by cancer type. For detailed information, visit The Science.
Ongoing validation continues through the Ontario Health Study and through real-world clinical use.