About the Science
What is microRNA (miRNA)?
MicroRNAs are tiny molecules in your blood that help regulate how your genes work. When disease develops — like cancer forming — these molecules change. By measuring your miRNA, we can detect those changes, often before symptoms appear. The scientists who discovered miRNA won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine.⁴
How is this different fromgenetic testing (like 23andMe)?
Genetic tests look at your DNA — your inherited blueprint that never changes. miRNA profiling looks at what's happening in your body right now. Your DNA shows inherited risk. Your miRNA shows current biological activity — including early signs of disease.
About miRNA Profiling
What is miRNA profiling?
miRNA profiling is a health information service that measures the microRNA levels in your blood. Your profile is your molecular baseline — a snapshot of what's happening in your body right now. This data is yours forever, and it can be analyzed through our research programs.
What does profiling measure?
We measure circulating microRNA levels in your blood. These tiny molecules reflect biological activity throughout your body. Changes in miRNA patterns can indicate disease is forming — sometimes months or years before symptoms appear.
Is my profile really mineforever?
Yes. Your miRNA profile data belongs to you. And as new research programs launch (heart health, brain health), your existing profile can be analyzed for new insights — without another blood draw.
About the Research Program
What is the research program?
Our Cancer Early Detection Research Program analyzes your miRNA profile for patterns that published studies have linked to early-stage cancer.¹ ² Research physicians review your data using investigational algorithms developed from studies on over 11,000 blood samples.
Is research participation free?
Yes. When you purchase your miRNA profile, research participation is included at no additional cost if you meet the eligiblity requirement. Different research program may have different eligiblity critera. Please check details when enrolling each program. For the cancer early detection research program, eligibility criteria include: no cancer history and no current ongoing suspected cancer symptoms.
What cancers can you detect?
Our research aims to detect a presumably shared miRNA pattern for ~80% of non-breast solid tumors, including but may not be limited to lung, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, gastric, bladder, kidney, uterine, head and neck. These are often cancers with no standard screening test.
How accurate is the analysis?
Initial proof-of-concept studies shows ~90% sensitivity and >99% specificity, using 11,000+ blood samples from public data sets, relevant to ~80% of non-breast solid tumors.¹ ² An independent study of lung, colorectal and prostate using Canadian samples is ongoing and performance will be shared before confirmation of your order. No test is perfect — that's why we recommend annual profiling and continued regular healthcare.
What is the Ontario HealthStudy?
The Ontario Health Study (OHS) is one of Canada's largest population health research platforms. Our research has been approved by OHS for validation using Canadian population data.³ This means our algorithms are being tested right here in Canada — not just using data from other countries.
Is this a diagnostic test?
No. This is a research program, not a diagnostic test. . Think of it like a smoke detector — it alerts you something may need attention. If we find a pattern of interest, imaging and clinical workup determine what's actually going on. Cancer diagnosis always requires a tissue biopsy.
About Your Results
What does "no patterns ofinterest" mean?
It means our research analysis did not detect disease-associated miRNA patterns in your blood at this time. This is reassuring — but it doesn't guarantee absence of disease. No test catches everything. Continue your regular healthcare and recommended screenings.
What does "pattern ofinterest" mean?
It means we detected signals that warrant further investigation. This is not a diagnosis. Many patterns of interest turn out to be benign after imaging — similar to how other cancer screenings work.
What happens if you findsomething?
You get imaging (typically full-body MRI) — covered as part of the research. A physician reviews results with you. If imaging finds something needing attention, the healthcare system takes over for further diagnostic workup.
Can there be false positives orfalse negatives?
Yes. No test is 100% accurate. False positives (flagging something that isn't cancer) and false negatives (missing something) can both occur. The aim is to get more chances to catch silently growing cancers that otherwise would have been missed. It is not meant to replace any existing technology to screen or detect cancers early.
About the Imaging
What kind of imaging do I get?
If we find a pattern of interest, you're eligible for full-body MRI or comprehensive assessment. MRI uses magnets (no radiation) to create detailed images of your organs and tissues.
Is the imaging really covered?
Yes. Imaging is covered as part of our research protocol — no additional cost to you if we find a pattern of interest.
What if the MRI finds something?
If imaging identifies an abnormality, the healthcare system takes over. You can be referred for further diagnostic workup — biopsy, specialist consultation, etc. We help you get in the door with evidence.
About Eligibility
Who can use miCheckup?
Adults 25+, with no history of cancer, and no current suspected cancer symptoms.
Why can't I use this if I havesymptoms?
If you have symptoms, you should see your doctor — you already have a reason to enter the healthcare system. This service is for people without symptoms who want proactive screening.
What if I've had cancer before?
Currently, our cancer research is for people without a cancer history. Our algorithms were developed using samples from people without prior cancer. We may offer options for cancer survivors in the future.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No. miCheckup is direct-to-consumer as a lab service to provide you your current miRNA expression levels (miRNA profiling). However, we will connect you with a physician in our research program will provide you with research findings.
About Cost
Can I use my HSA or WSA?
Often yes. miRNA profiling may qualify as eligible health care spending through Health Spending Accounts (HSA) or Wellness Spending Accounts (WSA). Check with your plan administrator.
Does provincial insurance coverthis?
No. Provincial health plans (like OHIP) do not currently cover miRNA profiling.
Important Safety Information
miRNA profiling is a laboratory service that measures circulating microRNA biomarkers in your blood. Research findings are not diagnoses.
Almost all cancer diagnosis requires tissue biopsy.¹¹ Heart and brain conditions require clinical assessment. Our research findings help guide conversations with your physician and may provide evidence to support clinical referral.
If patterns of interest are identified, you are eligible for imaging (full-body MRI) covered as part of the research protocol.¹⁶
This service does not replace guideline-recommended cancer screenings or regular healthcare.¹⁸ False negatives can occur — continue all recommended checkups and screenings.
miRNA profiling is available to adults 25 years and older. No fasting is required for blood draw. Current eligibility is limited to individuals without cancer history and without ongoing suspected cancer symptoms.
References
- Zhang J, Rui H, Hu H. Noninvasive multi-cancer detection using blood-based cell-free microRNAs. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:22136.
- Zhang A, Hu H. A Novel Blood-Based microRNA Diagnostic Model with High Accuracy for Multi-Cancer Early Detection. Cancers. 2022;14(6):1450.
- Ontario Health Study. "Cancer blood test prototype could one day be a game-changer." November 10, 2025.
- The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024. Awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun "for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation." NobelPrize.org.
- Lee RC, Feinbaum RL, Ambros V. The C. elegans heterochronic gene lin-4 encodes small RNAs with antisense complementarity to lin-14. Cell. 1993;75(5):843-854.
- Wightman B, Ha I, Ruvkun G. Posttranscriptional regulation of the heterochronic gene lin-14 by lin-4 mediates temporal pattern formation in C. elegans. Cell. 1993;75(5):855-862.
- Navickas R, et al. Identifying circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Cardiovascular Research. 2016;111(4):322-337.
- Floriano JF, Emanueli C. MicroRNAs and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Current Cardiology Reports. 2024;26:51-64.
- Swarbrick S, et al. Systematic Review of miRNA as Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease. Molecular Neurobiology. 2019;56(9):6156-6167.
- Khan H, et al. MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 2024;17:1386735.
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. "Diagnostic pathways and rapid referral services." partnershipagainstcancer.ca. 2025.
- Defined IG, et al. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) for cancer screening: recommendations for use. La radiologia medica. 2021;126:1434-1450.
- Public Health Agency of Canada. "Frequently Asked Questions on Cancer Screening." canada.ca. 2025.
- Statistics Canada. "Five-year cancer survival by stage at diagnosis in Canada." Health Reports. 2023;34(1):3-14.
- Canadian Cancer Society. "Cancer statistics at a glance." cancer.ca. 2024.
Ready to Get Started?
miCheckup is launching soon in Ottawa, with more locations coming across Canada.
Questions?
Made in Canada
- Ottawa-based company — Developed right here
- Peer-reviewed research — Published in Scientific Reports, Cancers, and more
- Nobel Prize science — miRNA discovery recognized 2024
- Canadian validation — Research approved by Ontario Health Study
- Privacy compliant — PHIPA & PIPEDA compliant
