Blood testing is now included in screening recommendations for colon and rectal cancer

Key Points:

• The American Cancer Society has updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines to include blood-based tests, specifically recommending the FDA-approved Shield test for adults 45 and older at average risk who decline or do not complete colonoscopies or stool-based tests.
• Colonoscopies remain the preferred screening method due to their higher sensitivity in detecting precancerous polyps, which can be removed during the procedure to prevent cancer development.
• The addition of blood tests aims to increase screening rates among those unwilling or unable to undergo invasive or stool-based tests, potentially improving early cancer detection and survival rates.
• New stool-based tests, including Cologuard Plus and ColoSense, have also been added to the guideline, offering more at-home screening options.
• Experts acknowledge blood tests are less sensitive than other methods and should not replace colonoscopy or stool tests for those willing to undergo them, but they represent an important step toward broader screening accessibility.