Early Cancer Detection That Outperforms Billion-Dollar Competitors

A Conversation with Dr. Richard Bernert on Building a Mission-Driven Healthcare Company

What happens when a top pathologist gets tired of diagnosing cancer too late? He builds a company to change the game entirely.

Richard Bernert, MD, COO of Precision Epigenomics, joined Amy Osmond Cook, Co-Founder and CMO of Fullcast, to discuss how a medically-led startup is delivering clinical results that double the sensitivity of industry giants in early-stage cancer detection.

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The Problem: Cancer Diagnosed Too Late

Every year, 20 million people globally receive a cancer diagnosis. Ten million die from the disease. In the United States alone, 600,000 people lose their lives to cancer annually.

The core issue is not treatment. It is detection timing.

"I'm sitting here like the umpire, calling balls and strikes," Dr. Bernert explained about his years as a pathologist. "Okay, this one's benign, this one's cancer. But what if we could get on the field of play and actually bend the curve?"

Cancers like pancreatic, liver, and brain tumors often go undetected until Stage 3 or 4 because no standard screening exists. By then, treatment options narrow dramatically.

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The Solution: EPISEEK Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test

Precision Epigenomics developed EPISEEK, a blood test that screens for over 80 cancer types with a focus on catching disease at Stages 1 and 2, when intervention can lead to a cure.

Clinical Results That Matter

A recent case-control study of more than 400 cancer patients revealed striking performance data:

Stage 1 and 2 sensitivity: 53-58%

Compare this to the billion-dollar market leaders, which achieved 28% and 33% sensitivity for the same early stages.

"It's more than twice the sensitivity for one of the assays and pretty close to twice for the other one," Dr. Bernert noted. "Detecting stages 1 and 2 is where you can potentially have an impact."

Brain Cancer Detection: A Category of One

The market-leading competitor attempted to detect brain cancer in their study and achieved 0%. EPISEEK detected brain cancers at a 60-70% rate.

"Brain cancer is a top-10 killer for men and women in the United States," Dr. Bernert emphasized. "It's not a nothing that the other folks are not able to detect that."

The test identifies both aggressive high-grade cancers like glioblastoma and slower-growing low-grade gliomas, which are notoriously difficult to catch through blood-based screening.

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Go-to-Market Strategy: Protecting Those Who Protect Us

Precision Epigenomics has found significant traction with first responders, a population facing elevated cancer risk from occupational exposures, disrupted sleep cycles, and contaminants in turnout gear.

Firefighters face twice the risk of testicular cancer compared to the general population. Kidney and skin cancers are also significantly elevated.

"We're asking these first responders to put their lives on the line to save us, and they're literally not just at risk of having a catastrophic event someday on a scene, but we're actually putting them at risk for cancer."

EPISEEK is the only multi-cancer early detection test that screens for all presumptive cancers recognized in the firefighter community, including brain cancer.

Dr. Bernert's approach to sales reflects the company's scrappy, mission-driven culture: "When I'm driving across country on a family vacation in an RV, I stop in at Fire Station Three in Casper, Wyoming."

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Accessibility by Design

The test requires two tubes of blood. A mobile phlebotomist comes to your location to collect the specimen. Results arrive within a week.

Price: $699, including the mobile phlebotomy service.

"Our goal, at some point when we scale this thing, I think we can hold the price there, or even go lower over the years," Dr. Bernert said.

To get started, visit precision-epigenomics.com or discuss EPISEEK with your primary care provider.

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The Mindset Behind Sustained Performance

Running a company while practicing medicine requires intentional self-care. Dr. Bernert shared his approach:

Sleep: "Eight hours. If you're only getting six hours, the body keeps receipts, and eventually you'll pay."

Movement: "High-intensity intervals, strength training, going for walks. Just taking good care of yourself."

Nutrition: "Don't eat so much bad food. It's so easy to eat junk."

He invoked the Stoic philosopher Epictetus: "How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?"

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Take Action

The tools for proactive cancer detection exist today. Whether you face elevated occupational risk, have a family history of cancer, or simply believe in taking control of your health, the next step is clear.

Visit precision-epigenomics.com or speak with your primary care provider.

The best time to demand the best for yourself is now.