American Cancer Society Expands Colorectal Cancer Screening Options to Include Blood Tests
The American Cancer Society has added blood-based screening tests to its colorectal cancer guidelines, aiming to increase screening rates among those who avoid traditional methods.
In a significant update to its colorectal cancer screening guidelines, the American Cancer Society now recommends the inclusion of blood testing, specifically the Shield test by Guardant Health, approved by the FDA in 2024. This addition is targeted at adults aged 45 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer and have declined more invasive procedures such as colonoscopies or stool tests. While colonoscopies remain the gold standard for detection, the society aims to address the growing number of cases among younger individuals who often skip screening due to aversion to traditional methods.
According to the updated guidelines, blood tests are not a first choice due to lower sensitivity in detecting precancerous polyps. Dr. William Dahut, the chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, noted, "There are a lot of people who can't or won't do a colonoscopy," emphasizing that offering more screening options could facilitate earlier cancer detection and treatment. Screening is crucial as it can significantly improve survival rates when cancer is caught in its early stages.
In addition to the blood tests, the updated guidelines also feature new stool-based tests, including an enhanced version of Cologuard and a new test called ColoSense. These tests allow for at-home sample collection, promoting accessibility to screening.
Medical professionals, including Dr. Ursina Teitelbaum from the University of Pennsylvania, have praised the new guidelines as "forward-thinking" but cautioned that blood-based tests may miss early-stage cancers. The hope is that as technology advances, further blood tests will be developed to improve screening access and effectiveness.
